Feb 20, 2012: The last couple of days………

WOW…..just where does the time fly to???  These last two days have…….well, I don’t know what they have done…..but they are no longer here and I can see very little that we did…….ALTHOUGH, we kept soooo busy….WHEW!!!!!

Saturday, we just hung out in the RV……reading, sleeping, watching some television…..and….resting!!  Nothing important……just living here a few miles from the border and in the “suburbs” of McAllen, Texas.

Yesterday????   Late morning we were off to about 20 miles east of here on Expressway 83.…..the RGV Outlet Mall.  We spent several hours there…..with very few purchases, but it was fun to just look around to see some of the various stores and what they had for sale.

Returning to the RV Resort, we sat around for awhile……and, then it was time to go over to Charlie and Katherine’s, as they had invited us over to dinner and to play some cards.  A wonderful steak dinner it was……and, those steaks that Charlie cooked on the grill…….WOW!!!!!   Sooooo juicy, soooo tender, soooo tasty!!!

The rest of the evening was spent playing cards……a game that all four of us enjoy, called “Golf”.  Lots of fun…….sort of a game of chance…..as the strategy decisions are very.  But, great fun with, of course, lots of laughs!!!!!

Today????

The 1st Lady wanted to get her hair trimmed up……so, off we went to one of the many Walmarts that are around here……and, within about 5-10 minutes she was sitting in the chair, getting the trim.  I did a bit of light shopping in WM…..and when we both were finished, we left for the resort.

Earlier I had called our RGV-met friends from several years ago……Ron and Linda.  They always stay in Llano Grande, as they are full-timers and so their winters are spent here….most of the time.  The last time we had been together was 1.5 years ago when we met them at Disney World in Orlando…..where they were doing some work.  We all got together for dinner that evening……and, had a great time with lots to discuss.

Today……we shared some wine….and lots of “catching-up” conversation.  They are leaving in May for a six month trip up to Alaska with their huge 5th wheel…..bigger than mine by several feet.  Excited they are!!!!!!   This will be their first time up there and I KNOW that they will have a marvelous time!!!

Ron and Linda....full-timers who we met here in the RGV a few years ago!!

The 1st Lady and I have about decided that we will depart here next Monday for the hills of southeast Misery.  We plan to drive only up to San Antonio on that day, and will spend the afternoon and night there……(about 4 hours from here).  I have an aging cousin whom I have not seen in a few years…..and hopefully, we can manage to get together.

Then, on Tuesday we will drive to Little Rock, spend the night there, and on Wednesday morning visit President Clinton’s Library……a new experience for both of us!!!  We have always just driven on through Little Rock…..but we have always said we would stop some day to see it.  And…..so we will do just that!   On Wednesday afternoon/evening we will then go on up to F’town, again about 4-5 hours drive.

So there you have it!!!!!!  The last couple of days have not been all that exciting……just living the good Life here in south Texas!!!  Great weather has returned…..77 degrees today…..and the same is predicted for tomorrow.  Sooooo, that only makes it more certain that…………..

LIFE IS JUST REALLY, REALLY GREAT!!!!!!……And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!

Club House at night.....

Feb 16th and 17th, 2012: THE FUN TIMES NEVER, NEVER END IN THE RGV!!!!!

THURSDAY:

Weather report!!!???   Gray, cloudy, and the rains came during the middle of the night, awakening us as they pounded down onto our RV’s roof.  Off and on, they came and left…..but when I came downstairs this morning, the outside was really, really wet ….and cloudy!  Positive statement????   It was 70 degrees at 7AM this morning…….and only became warmer as the cloudy day grew older.

Charlie and Katherine have been wanting to go to Sam’s Club…..and, since they are not members, we told them that we would love to take them for a bit of shopping.  And…..this morning was just the perfect time to do that.

So about noon…..off the four of us went…..not very far…about 3 miles from our RV Park.  And when we arrived……OMG, it was sooooooo crowded…the most I have ever seen in a Sam’s….ever, ever!!!  Often you see Latino families shopping with all of their children, but today…..there were tons more than usual.  And…..besides that, there were cars/trucks in the parking lot from Mexico….and that told me that they had come across the border to shop at Sam’s!!  Can’t blame them……we often drive 50 miles at home to do the same thing.

We were there almost a full hour…..even though none of us purchased very much.  Just a few items that we could use in “bulk”……larger quantities than you can get in the regular grocery stores.  Of course……we enjoyed all of the free tastings at each corner of the aisles in the grocery sections……and, some were quite tasty, to say the least.

A few items that we needed…..like milk….we did not want to purchase in large sizes, so we drove over to the nearest grocery store.  THAT didn’t take long….and soon we were back in the resort.  The 1st Lady then put together her fresh fruit salad, using fresh picked oranges, fresh picked pineapples, fresh blueberries, and fresh strawberries.  And….it was really quite good!!!

At 4:15, the 1st Lady and I left for this Happy Hour and Supper over at a friend’s rv in the Tropic Star RV Resort.  When we arrived, Dave and Jean, Charlie and Katherine were just arriving….and there were dozens of others who were already there.  WOW……what an enormous Happy Hour!!!!!!  Luckily, the heavy clouds above us decided to not ruin the party, as the predicted rains never arrived in time for the party!!!

Most of our good friends were there……and needless for me to say here, but we just had a super time!!!!!  The appetizers were quite good….and, as is the custom everyone had brought their own drinks.  Me???  Awww, come on….you know I needed to take my dark red medicine, especially at this time of the day.

We did get to chat and laugh with Tom and Gayle, whom only arrived a few days ago.  We had run into Tom over in Mexico on Monday after he had had some dental work done there, but Gayle had been with him.  Sooooo, this afternoon was the first time we had been together in two years……and, as always…..it was fun and laughter!!

We were there laughing, talking, drinking, laughing, drinking…..until about 6pm.  We then went over to the Club House area where this is a pavilion that is covered and has picnic tables.  There….we each took in our “covered dish” and suddenly……this huge table became overly laden with delicious casseroles, salads, meat dishes, veggies, tacos,…..you name it, and it was undoubtedly on that table!!!  Then close by was the table for all of the cakes, cookies, and other desserts!  WOW…….amazing just how great and how much food was brought to this supper following the Happy Hour!!!

About 7:30 the great times came to an end…..as the 60+ people began to gather their items and took them to the vehicles.  We had such a marvelous time…….these days just fly by, filled with laughter and parties and food and drinks and incredible friends from across North America, literally!!!!!!!!!

FRIDAY:

Hmmmm……another rainy and cloudy (of course, it is raining!) day….but the temps were in the 70’s from the time I came downstairs about 7AM.  We had decided to sq. dance this morning….my foot seems to be much improved after earlier this week.  Sooo, after a quick breakfast, some Fr. Roast coffee and then some tea for the 1st Lady, we finished getting our aging and sagging bodies ready to enjoy the morning!!

Dave/Jean and Charlie/Katherine picked us up once again…..will have to give Dave some gas money before we return to Misery!!!  Arriving at the Club House a few miles east of here, we soon had a table, some coffee, and before long we were on the floor……having a BLAST!!!!!   The two hour session went quickly by…..and after preparing to leave to return to our rented RV……other great friends, Gayle and Lillian asked us to come to their house and have lunch with them.  They purchased a home here two year ago….and we had not yet seen it.  Sooooo, all six of us drove over to their home…..and…..

OMG….what a lovely home they have!!!!  When they purchased it….ALL of the furniture and furnishings were included with the sale of the home…..and it is just a marvelous house with the décor being soooooo great!!!!  We just loved it!!!   In the back, they have this incredible covered patio and that is where we had lunch, with the breezes cooling us off…..and the wonderful cajun lunch just really, really “hitting the spot”!!!!   Gayle and Lillian are just wonderful…..and we have sooo enjoyed getting to know them over the past few years.  Being from Iowa, they are not really too far from us…..even though their summer home is their 5th wheel!!  I have invited them to visit us in Wyoming….and, hopefully, they will be able to work that into their summer travels.

After a couple of hours with them, discussing families and telling stories……such a fun, fun time….we all returned to our RV resort and soon were preparing to go to the Club House for the Annual German Festival!  Since this was our first time to attend this event here at Tip O’ Texas RV Resort, we were not certain just what to expect…..but…..

WHAT an amazing and wonderful time we had….beginning at 2:30pm until we left about 8pm!!  Quite frankly….words just can’t describe nor adequately give you the “feel” of this non-stop event and the fun EVERYONE had.  There were about 240 people there…..and as the afternoon and evening progressed, the fun times just got better and better!!!

Every couple was to bring a bottle of wine or a six pack of beer…..and then everyone would get a chance to taste them, if they so desired!!  Well…..WELL…..there were tons of bottles of wine…..as well as lots and lots and lots of beer.  And….believe me, the place began to get louder and louder and more and more fun as the afternoon went by.  The 1st Lady CERTAINLY enjoyed her wine and beer tastings…..more than I have seen her “enjoy” something like this in years and years and years!!!!!  In fact…..all of us were a bit loopy before very long and we continued to “taste” the offerings until dinner was served at 5:30pm!!

One of the most fun things was the board drinking:  four glasses were attached to a board and then filled with Apple Schnapps…..and then everyone chugged at one time!!  Great fun….and the schnapps was wonderful!!!!

The 1st Lady and Pat for their FIRST round!!

More wines to try....more beers to try!!!

Starting to feel good....haha!!!

Here they go again....!!

Down the hatch!!!!

GREAT FUN!!!

The fun times never end.....Check the background people!!

Yep....time to give it a try!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!

How many times does this make????

Hmmm.....just who the hell is THIS guy????

A GREAT EVENING at the GERMAN FEST!!!!

Dinner????  Yep….a complete German menu with Sauerkraut and sausage, cole slaw, baked apples and raisins(OMG…WONDERFUL), cucumber salad, German breads…homemade, incredible dark brown gravy to go over the pork medallions…..and then Black Forest Cake, German Chocolate Cake….and the menu goes on and on!!!  But….the most amazing thing was the very tasty and high quality of every food item which, of course, had been prepared for such a large group of people!!!!  I was VERY impressed with this…..WOW!!!!!!

Following dinner, at 6:30pm……then the evening show began with a very good one man-show of German music, yodeling, accordion  playing, an alpine horn, and his great vocal music!  Much, much fun and enjoyable!!!

During the late afternoon, our wonderful friend…..Sally….who had rented her 5th wheel RV to us for our stay down here, returned from her 2 weeks trip….of which was a week long cruise.  She and Jack showed up at the hall…..and it was nothing but hugs and kisses and pure enjoyment at seeing her once again.  We also got to meet Jack…..her new companion….and I’m not sure what he thought of all of us “drunk” friends of hers…..but it was fun anyway.

In fact, after the intermission of the performance this evening, we all left….and went over to their house here in the resort….surprising them and then we sat out on their patio for an hour or so, enjoying MORE wine!!!   During this day…..we did learn about our good Kansas friends….Tom and Pat…..and their inability to show up at the Friday morning sq. dances……hmmmmm.!!!!!!   Since they were there….and, since the wine and beer flowed so freely this afternoon, interesting stories came pouring out….and our new knowledge of their Fridays made them the brunt of many jokes all evening!!!!!!!  FUN TIMES…..for everyone!!!!

WHAT A DAY!!!!!……and, as I have continued to write about on here…..these unbelievable great times just never, never come to an end!!!  Honest to heaven, there is just no way that I can write about these days and evenings so that you can understand how much FUN and LAUGHS we enjoy each time we are together!!!!!!!!   It has never occurred anywhere else but down here for any of us…….and…..well, we are obviously having the best times of our shortening Lives!!!!!!!  Each day is one less day that we have to enjoy our Lives….and so we are going hell-bent for leather to make certain that each day is better than the previous ones!!!   Again……come on down here…….join us!!!!!   You will NOT be sorry!!!!!!

LIFE IS JUST REALLY INCREDIBLY GREAT!!!!!!……And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!!!!!  I REALLY hope so!!!!

Feb 17, 2012: Anothrer WOW day, but I am WOW’ed out!!

Tomorrow…… Keep checking and I WILL get caught up on Sat… A promise!!

LIFE IS SOOO GREAT…..!!!!

Feb 16,2012: Post…..???

From my iPhone and sitting in the RV with the rains pouring down on the roof, i am not going to walk through these tons of raindrops to go to the Club House to get tonight’s post published. A great day this has been ending with a very large Happy Hour and carry-in dinner…….such fun! I will try to get this published tomorrow!!!!

LIFE IS SOOOOO AMAZING!!!!!……And, I hope it is for all if you, also!!

Feb 14/15, 2012: It just gets better and better here!!!

Hmmmm…….another cloudy morning, but OMG, did the temps ever rise….and rise….and rise…until by this afternoon it was in the low 80’s!!!!   Cloudy???  THAT’s OK as long as we have the wonderful warmth down here.

Morning meant the usual rituals….along with the Fr. Roast coffee to kick-start the day.  Yesterday, while in Mexico with friends, we had been told about the Feldman Liquor and Wine Stores here in the McAllen area…..and that we could get a discount card to lower the prices on specific items….the items changing each week.   Sooooo, with our final destination being a two hour square dance review this afternoon beginning at 1pm…..we left a bit before 11am…..and drove west to the main artery in McAllen.

We finally located Feldman’s….and locating a place to park in the very small parking area along 10th street, we entered what might be the most incredible liquor and wine store I have encountered in many, many years.  Not only does is stock more different brands of bourbons and scotches than I have ever seen, but the wine selection was amazing!!!  By signing up for a discount card, we discovered that the first purchase would be discounted at 10% off…..not a huge amount, but enough to interest us.

So, we wandered around through the various aisles….and then over into the next glassed in room where the “better” wines were on display.  The 1st Lady and I finally got a basket to put our selections in…..a lot safer than dropping some of the bottles on the floor…..and did get several different items.  We were both surprised though that anything imported into the US was more expensive than in Mexico…..even with the discount card that we now had.  I selected a few bottles of wine…and, the one bottle of liquor that I could not find in Progresso, Mexico yesterday……Tina Maria.  It is a coffee liqueur that is sooooo damn good.  I usually fix a bowl of Breyer’s Vanilla Ice Cream, crumble over it either a Butterfinger or a Hershey Chocolate Bar, and then pour over that, this wonderful Tina Maria……TO DIE FOR!!!!  OMG!!!!!!   The price was not as good as I expected…..not nearly as cheap as in Mexico two years ago, but….as I said, it was not to be found anywhere there.  I think the 1 Liter was in the upper $20’s….can’t remember for certain.  I do know that two years ago I purchased it for $15 in Mexico!!!  Oh well……

After two hours of square dance review…..we returned to the RV and just “hung out”….waiting for the time to be picked up for tonight’s planned Valentine’s Dinner.  And….right on the dot, Dave picked us up at 5:30pm….and the six of us went over to Mercedes, TX….about 17 miles east of here…..to the little restaurant called “Cortino’s”.  We had discovered this little gem of an Italian restaurant at least 3 years ago……and, it hasn’t changed in looks from the outside, nor the inside.

Quite frankly, we had seen this little place for 2-3 years before we ventured inside it…..and there were always many cars in the parking area……which pulled us inside this great place.  The first time……..WOW…WOW…WOW…WOW!!!!!!!  Then two years ago 10 or 12 of us ate here on Valentine’s Day…..and everyone was soooo impressed by the high quality of the Italian meals.  And………………..

It has not changed one bit!!!!!!

Waiting to be seated with their Valentine "dates"!!

It took us about 20 minutes before we were seated……as I called this morning to see if we could make a reservation and I was told that they did NOT take reservations for today.  What a HUGE business they had this evening!!!!!!  But, once you eat there, you will understand!!!

We six had two orders of Bruschetta, ordered two bottles of wine….and then the salads and main entrees were ordered.

A toast to the beginning of a great dinner!!!!

WOW……I can’t speak for the others, other than to say they were overwhelmed by the wonderful meals……as was I!!!  I had the Veal Picatta……with the garlic-butter-lemon sauce…..and angel hair pasta…..Oh My God!!!!!  I am not able to express in writing how absolutely incredible it was!!!!!!!!    The tender, tender veal with that marvelous sauce…..accompanied by the angel hair pasta which was served al dente…..resting gently on that amazing veal, with two slices of fresh…FRESH…lemon laying on top.  Very generous portions were served……along with some great garlic bread……..one of theeeeeeee best Italian dinners I have experienced in many years.  It certainly did outclass the one I had outside Sevierville, TN last June!!!!!!   Definitely a FIVE star dinner…….EXCELLENT!!!!

My dinner.....the Veal Piccata!!!

The Seafood Combination....!

Another great Italian dinner.....YUM!!!

One more picture......(not shown were the Shrimp Scampi dinners)

Incredible Desserts!!!!! Soooo good!!!

Dave and Jean, holding her Valentine Rose

Charlie and Katherine with Dave and Jean

Six Sexy Seniors stuffed from Dinner at Cortino's!!

Back here….unable to move from all of the food in my sagging hulk….which is sagging even more after that marvelous dinner.  For anyone reading this, I cannot encourage you enough to take an evening and go dine at Cortino’s.  You certainly will not regret doing so!!!

THURSDAY:

WHEW……what a horrible night!!!  Sometime during the night I awoke…..hotter than I don’t know what…….and managed to get out of bed and go turn on the a/c to cool down the RV.  Temps had risen outside, as well as inside during the night hours and it was beyond being comfortable.  I also had a bad case of indigestion from that wonderful rich sauce that was on the Veal Piccata, so I rummaged around under the sink and found my bottle of Tums, chewed up a couple and was once again in bed…..all in the space of about 60 seconds.  However, I didn’t sleep much after that……and when awakening this morning, it was really VERY difficult to do……just couldn’t pull myself together!!

We had been asked by Larry and Cindy Cross……friends of our Cedar Creek RV Owners Club who are down here for the winter……..asked to join them and their friends for breakfast between here and their RV Resort where they are staying.  Well…….last night, late….I texted him and told him we would not make it, as we both didn’t think we would be able to eat anything this morning…….sooooo much of that great dinner had been eaten last night that we knew we would not be hungry at all!   But, I told him we would try to locate them in Mexico…Progresso…..and hang out for some drinks, etc….today.

The day was turning into a very, very warm one, with some clouds above and the sun shining through and around those heavy clouds.  And….it was a great one…..in the mid-80′s for the temps today!!

We needed to make another trip…..perhaps two more…..over across the border, so today was a good as any, weather wise….of which tomorrow’s predictions are not that great.  We first stopped at the Don-West Fruit and Veggie Market and the Flea Market that is there.  TONS of people there, but we did get a bag of grapefruit……quite a large netted bag for only $10.….plus, we also purchased a smaller bag of oranges….for $3.00!!!  I looked for a new wallet….but just couldn’t find one like I currently have, so didn’t buy anything at the Flea Market.

Then, it was on to the border.  By the time we arrived at the parking lot on the American side, it was almost FULL!!!!!!    OMG, we knew what that meant…..thousands of North Americans walking the sidewalks and shopping and eating and drinking and partying…..and that does make it difficult to shop for specific items:  meds for the 1st Lady’s brother and mother, a wallet for myself, and I also wanted a new ring to replace the one that I purchased in Progresso several years ago….which I really loved, but I chipped the turquoise in it this past fall….and it was then un-wearable.

Soooo, off we went…..and after paying our one quarter to cross the bridge, we found ourselves in Mexico in a few minutes.  First stop????   The liquor store at the end of the bridge.  We wanted to check on prices there, since we did not stop there on Monday.  The Bailey’s was selling for a cheap price….and we jotted it down, so our senior brain farts would not keep us from remembering what we might have to pay if we purchased there.

Strangely enough…..we were both STILL full from dinner last night…..UGH!!!!  I was still sagging more than normal…..and even the wonderful aromas which drift across us from time to time along the streets….even they did not entice us to want to sit down and have lunch.  Sooooo……..we began darting in and out of stores, as well as checking once again on the prices of various meds we needed to purchase today.

Marsha inquiring for the correct dosage for her brother's meds

Locating the farmacia that we thought would have the best prices……they did….so, we purchased upwards of $200 worth of “drugs”/meds to take back to the 1st Lady’s brother and mom……saving them tons and tons of $$$$$$!!!!!  Here in Progresso, no prescription is necessary, just buy what you want, from Viagra to Z-packs to antibiotics to almost anything…and take it home with you.  ALL at MUCH lower prices than in the states!!!

From there, we spent some time getting the best prices on some liquor……and purchased two bottles, each containing one full liter….. Disaronno Amaretto and the new Bailey’s Mint Cream!!!!!  The Bailey’s is just outstanding!!!!!!  We got samples on Monday…..most places will give out samples over here, if you just ask them…..and we immediately decided then to purchase a bottle of it.   Only one liter per person can be purchased and taken in duty free, other than paying the Texas state import taxes….$3.75 per bottle.  The prices today were sooooo much less expensive than at Feldman’s Liquor in the McAllen area!!!!

A very small child arranging her "gum box" to sell to the people on the streets.

They sell LOTS of Tequila here in Mexico!!!!!

The "menu" board from just one of at least one hundred dentists in Progresso!!!

Another wonderful place to eat in Progreso, Mexico!!!!

About 2:45pm, we decided to have a Margarita and perhaps a taco.  This time we selected the “Old Town Restaurant and Bar”, where we have seen many, many, many people eating at that place over the years that we have been here.  And……WOW….we were soooo glad we did!!!!  The Margaritas were STRONG and wonderful……and the taco???   OMG, it was one huge, almost plate size tortilla that had been browned, but not fried and filled with great beef…not ground up….lettuce, FRESH guacamole slices , some type of “crème” and it was all warm and absolutely wonderful!!!!  Honestly, I would have to say that this one taco I had was beyond a doubt the best one I have eaten!!!!   And, the 1st Lady felt the same way about hers!!!!  Our bill????  Two of those huge tortillas/tacos and four Margaritas…….a total of $9.00!!!!!!!!  Yep, NINE dollars.  And….those drinks were quite strong, as we both were a bit dizzy when we left the front outside patio to get to the sidewalk.

While sitting on their patio at the restaurant, there were a couple of armed Mexican Army vehicles drive up the street….about four armed military men in the back of each one.  GREAT!!!!!!  THAT says that they are making certain that this place is safe!!!!  GREAT to see that happening!

GLAD they are around......makes it safe for everyone!!!!

As I was afraid might happen……we never did find Larry and Cindy Cross!!!!!  I suppose we will have to make certain that we go TOGETHER next week, or whenever we go again, assuming that they can go to Mexico on that day!!!

Always looking for that great bargain in the stalls of the streets!!!

We headed for the border……declaring to the border guard/immigration control what we had purchased….took all of 30 seconds and we were through.  Found the car….and then the next stop of JC Penny’s.  Nothing purchased there….but it was next to the wonderful sports store that is a chain down here….Academy.  We spent about 40 minutes in there, but again did not buy anything…..think our bodies are a bit exhausted from fighting the huge, huge number of people on the sidewalks.  At times we just came to a complete standstill and had to wait on people way ahead of us to move again.   Must have been those damn old senior citizens who are around 69-75 years old…….why would anyone that age come over there?????  (heehee)

Another day which was extremely tiring……but very, very rewarding.  I LOVE going over to Mexico…..soooo interesting, soooo great for watching people (when they get out of your way)…..and always mouth-watering food to enjoy!

Sooooooo, as always…..

LIFE IS JUST REALLY, REALLY GREAT!!!!!!……And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!

Feb 13, 2012: WOW……FUN TIMES IN MEXICO!!!!!!!!!

AHHHHH…….what a marvelous day!!!!!!  To Mexico we went……and, I immediately realized just how much I have missed crossing over the Rio Grande to visit Progreso……sooooo good to be back over there!

The morning……another gray and rather damp one, everything being wet as it did rain during the night, and those clouds looking as if they might open up and drench us this morning.  However……

At 9:30 we heard the honking of Dave/Jean’s van…..and quickly locked up and joined Charlie and Katherine in the van….and, away we went, making a “run to the border”.  About 25 miles….most of it going east, and then south to the International Bridge.  We parked in the parking lot on this side……and soon we met up with the rest of the “Gang of Twelve” at a very appropriate place…….at the rest room building just before crossing over to our neighbor to the south.

One quarter each is the fee to cross the bridge over the Rio Grande……and the bridge is really not that long, as the Rio Grande is not that wide.  Actually there seemed to be a lot more water in it than there was two years ago, when we were here last. In a brief few moments we were in Mexico and the assortment of street peddlers and “hawkers” asking if we needed a “good dentist”…..one of those people every few feet telling us just how good their dentist is!   Even though it seems very rude to do so, we usually just walk right by these “hired hawkers”……..can’t say “No” to everyone.

"Gang of Twelve" arrives in Mexico for a day shopping and FUN!!!!!

Each of us had our priorities as to what we wished to look at, wished to purchase, wished to eat, etc., etc.  After going  over the street to the first regular block……we began to disperse and stop in various shops and stalls along the way.  The further we went south down the main street, the more people….American seniors…..we found shopping along the way.  Most of us popped into one of the larger stores, and a couple of guys immediately went up to the always-present bar and ordered Margaritas!!   Great way to begin our day in Mexico!!!

Carl and Tom begin the day with Margaritas!!!! GREAT BEGINNING!!!

The 1st Lady and I were shopping for prices today……meds for her family, and we needed to check in a few of the “farmacias” to compare the prices in each place.  We had already all agreed to separate and meet at “Elsa’s”, a well-known and very fun place which boasts two eating rooms and a bar, as well as a dance floor in the back dining room.   Sooooo, off we went….stopping in many stores, checking the med prices, as well as the liquor prices….and, occasionally checking jewelry in some of these shops.

At each farmacia, the 1st Lady took notes as well as the name of the shop, so she could talk with her brother as to the prices here versus the prices in northeast Missouri. (And, when we returned to the 5er, she quickly called him so he could get his list compiled so we could purchase what he wanted the next trip over across the border.

At 12 noon, we all gathered at Elsa’s…..and soon, the Margaritas were being delivered to our table in the back room. 

A few Margaritas for everyone!!!!

Live music was happening by a young musician on the keyboard as he sang many of the favorites of this part of the country.  After we were into our second Margarita, I went up and tipped the musician, requesting him to play “Happy Birthday” to Pat…..whose birthday was yesterday!  What great fun to watch her when she realized that it was being played for…….her!!!

The BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!!!

We ordered lunch…..and I ordered the “Elsa’s Mexican Special”…….tacos, tamale, enchilada, refried beans and Spanish rice…..a very typical lunch.  When presented and put in front of me…….a really nice presentation, but…….the flavors were just really, really tasty!!!!!  I believe everyone…..all 12 of us….enjoyed their lunches…..and the talking and laughing never really ceased, even when everyone was eating!

Afterwards…….the music got better….and we were soon on the dance floor.  Didn’t take long before those Margaritas were making all of us have a great time…..and then dancing became non-stop for many of us!!!! 

Toooo OLD to do the twist??? HELL NO!!!!!

Line Dancing for the girls.....

WOW......do we ever enjoy having fun (even at these "senior" ages)!!!

SUCH FUN!!!!!   And……”fun” is the name of the game down here!!!!  We continued the dancing for probably 30 minutes…..enjoying the great times we were having…..YEAH!!!!!  More Margaritas were ordered…..and, the 1st Lady and I went through six of them……for a total of only $9.00!!!!!  GREAT PRICES!!!!

All tooooo quickly we realized that time was passing…..and so, the bills were paid, the musician was tipped, the servers were tipped….and we agreed to meet at the bridge at 3pm.  Off the 1st Lady and I went……checking liquor prices, looking for a silver necklace for the 1st Lady, as well as the meds needed.  Hurrying along……more than I wanted to do, we stopped and shopped and shopped when we stopped…..and I soon had some bags with a new bottle of Kahlua…an entire liter….for only $8.90 and a bottle of Caramel Bailey’s.  As we are only allowed to carry in to the states a total of one liter per person, we were already maxed out for the day.  The 1st Lady found a silver necklace, I found some of those incredible chocolate candies filled with Kahlua….and purchased a “jar” of them for about $7.00.  However…….we quickly realized that we would have to return at least two more times….and, without a time schedule so that we can shop a bit less hurriedly!

A little boy selling jewelry.....can't resist from buying from him!

The Basket Man.......and he was selling lots of them!!!

By this time, the sun was out in full force accompanied by a very clear, blue sky!!!  FINALLY!!!   And……soon the appointed time was nearing, so we hurried to the meeting place where we found Dave and Jean, and before long Charlie and Katherine arrived.  A bit more looking at the last liquor store…..and, receiving some wonderful samples of the Baileys Chocolate Mint…..PUT that on the purchase list for the next trip across the border!!!

Across the bridge, and then through the immigration/passport control.  A really, really friendly border guard was checking purchases and passports…..and, all he did was to ask what were in our packages, smiled and then said:  “Thank you very much, Mr and Mrs Howser!”  Quite a bit different than the usual crossing guards!!!!!

One last picture in Mexico......for today!

Back to the van….and then a wee bit later, we were at the RV Resort.  Charlie/Katherine invited us down to their RV for Happy Hour…….as if we hadn’t been happy for the last few hours….HAHA!!!!  In fact….while down here, we are ALWAYS happy……..soooooo damn much fun!!

Jean.....enjoying the appetizers!!

Yep....MORE fun!!!!

I have been negligent in not naming the rest of the “Gang of Twelve” and so…..our great friends are:  Ron and Sandy from Nebraska, Tom and Pat from Kansas, Carl and Sara from Colorado, Dave and Jean from Ontario, Canada, Charlie and Katherine from Ontario, Canada, and the 1st Lady and the Sagging Hulk of Me from Missouri/Wyoming!!!   Just a wonderful group, but there are many, many more great friends down here……and, the common bond?????  SQUARE DANCING!!!!!

And soooo…….a real, real WOW of a day…….such fun, such friends, such great times!!!!!!   Each couple has their own schedule to follow down here…..where they want to go to dance (just TONS of different dances occurring EACH day), where they want to eat, where they want to shop, where they have their RV’s.  And, this is the way it is for the 350,000 (more or less) Seniors that enjoy living down here…..known fondly by the permanent residents down here as “Winter Texans”.  Sooooo warmly welcomed, soooo appreciated, so friendly to all of us………it is no wonder that we return year after year after year!!!!!!!

LIFE IS JUST SOOOOO WONDERFULLY GREAT!!!!!!……and, I really hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!!!!

Feb 12, 2012: Where IS that sun?????

Ever since early evening yesterday…….I have been in a saddened state. The terrible news that Whitney Houston was gone has affected me so much……she was just one of those wonderful and beautiful people who soooo “grabbed” me and would not let me go. I loved…LOVED..her singing, her acting, her performances……and each time I would unexpectedly hear her singing, it would always bring me to a complete halt…..it just gave me chills to listen to her musicianship, her skill, her technique….the beautiful things she did with her own musical instrument, her voice! WHAT a loss this is to the world of music….and, to the entire world who soooo loved her and her music!

Prior to that news, yesterday we had had a pretty nice day……the RV Park had their Arts/Crafts sale in the Club House yesterday morning. We went over to see what they had to offer and, I must say that this sale was one of the very best I have attended in any of the RV Resorts/Parks that I have been to. No, we didn’t purchase much….a few little things but nothing of any importance.

Then during the afternoon we went to a square dance festival……there was a dance during the afternoon…..and then, another dance during the evening. It was held at another RV Park, Tropic Star RV Park, just a very few miles from here….about 5-10 minutes with stop lights and we were there. REALLY enjoyed the afternoon, even though for some odd unknown reason, we never did do as well as we have done during this entire week.

And……I must have moved my foot in some odd way, because it began to give me some loud thrusts of pain…..WHAT THE HELL???? It has been absolutely painless this week and I have continued to say to others this week that it must really have improved…and, I felt soooo damn great about this progress. And then this pain yesterday!!!! SHIT!!!!!!!!! DAMN!!!! We did not go back last night to the evening dance……with my foot screaming at me….well, I just thought I needed to stay off of it completely during today.

Today??? Well, the damn weather is more like Misery has been during January than what the tip of Texas is supposed to be……UGH!!!! GRRRRRR……. It has been raining off and on since early last night…and seems to just continue, plus: the temps were down to 46 degrees this morning and is hovering around the low 50’s today with the continuing rains. Soooooo…….

The flat screen TV here in the lower level of the 5er of the RV….and, the flat screen upstairs in the bedroom….have both been on today as we each are have control of one of them. HAHA!! Not too much to watch after the weekly Sunday morning shows are completed……but, we both love HGTV, so we have enjoyed their shows today.

Phone calls have been taken from both Jeremy and Darrel (Dr Jeni’s husband). Jeremy is in the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas on business….been out there a couple of days and is doing a film shoot for one his client’s political ads. Anne-marie is in Mobile as her cousin was selected the King of the Mobile (AL) Mardi Gras! Guess they will both be back in Philadelphia in a day or two….and then Jeremy has to return to Las Vegas next week on business.

Tomorrow…..the weather is supposed to be back up to 70 with sunshine…..YEAH MAN!!!! And, so our plans are to go over to Mexico for the day….shopping, drinks, late lunch……all with a group of our friends! We need to pick up some meds and most definitely…….some liquor(as I mentioned a couple of days ago). Should be a great time!!!!

We have decided to remain down here….extending our original plans of 8 days…..and stay at least through NEXT week, leaving about the 24th or so. Been having tooooo much fun to leave now!!!!!!!!

About 3:30, I received a phone call from Charlie and Katherine, who had been square dancing this afternoon, and wanted us to meet them along with Dave and Jean over at the Club House for some ice cream. Seems that every Sunday they serve ice cream in all of it’s various formats…..ummmm, sounded sooo good. So, we met them at the corner and once inside the hall, we soon discovered that TODAY they were not serving as the park-wide Valentine Dinner and Dance was being held in there tonight. Not having planned to attend that event, we were a bit disappointed that there was no ice cream available today.

But……Jean and Dave who had also wanted ice cream, went off to do their laundry….and when Charlie and Katherine invited us over to their RV for a drink….we said, “No….you come to our place”. Soooo, they did!! And it was soooo great to be with them today as once we had a sip of that dark red medicine….Cabernet Sauvignon…..the laughter began….and, awwww hell, you know the rest…..the laughter never ended!!! We went through one bottle quickly as we traveled the world: they took a trip in the past few years from Canada to St. Petersburg, Russia….and from there by TRAIN all across the northern part of Asia over to Mongolia for a few days….and then on to Beijing, China. While in Mongolia, Katherine fell/tripped/whatever….and injured her ankle/foot….and as she later discovered, she broke a bone!! Soooo, they HAD to fly back 1st Class to Canada from there.

Lots and lots and lots and lots of stories we shared. Without having been encouraged by them, we would not have made our trip to New Zealand….and, ooohhhhhh my God, we are soooo thankful for them and for them pushing us to go down there!!!!!!!!!!!!! As we talked and laughed and drank, we soon decided that we needed to go to on a trip together……SUCH a GREAT idea!!!!! South America just might be the destination!!!! None of us have ever been there……and, that outside of Antartica….that is theeee only other continent that I have not visited….and I think the same is true of Charlie and Katherine!!! OK….”game on”……let’s go!!!!!! (Time is running out as our bodies evolve into what is known as “old age”….and, with that…there goes our health).

Departing from our rented RV…..we are to be picked up by Dave/Jean in their new Dodge van and the we will meet the rest of “our gang” at the parking lot just this side of the bridge over to Mexico in the morning. Can’t wait!!!!!! Been two years since we have been over there…..the shopping list is long and varied!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!

Sooo, the 1st Lady has some Tortellini going for dinner this evening……and then, over to the Club House to get this posted!! Even with this god-awful weather……it is sooooo incredible to be down here again……I can’t “hype” this place enough!!! Seniors…..get your sagging asses down here!!!!! You will not be disappointed!

LIFE IS INCREDIBLY GREAT!!!!!!!…..And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!!