Yep….it has been three weeks today since we left for our EIGHT days down here in the Valley….HA!  We sure didn’t plan all of this, but then when being retired…….What the Hell?!!!!   Enjoy each day as it arrives and quickly disappears…….eh???

We danced on Tuesday afternoon…..and then we had invited Charlie/Katherine and Dave/Jean over for a light supper, following Happy Hour.  They have been soooooooooo wonderful to us,……feeding us, providing Happy Hours for us, transporting us all over the Valley, as well as to South Padre Island…..and, while it is a wee bit more difficult to prepare a meal in an RV that is not ours and not equipped with OUR cooking facilities and necessary pots/pans/etc……..Sally’s RV that we are renting is well stocked with the necessities!!!!   Soooo, we had a fun evening on Tuesday with a couple of hours of drinks, followed by a light supper of salad and soup…….and then the evening evolved into a great game of cards…..”Golf”.   WHAT FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

An aerial view....from the porch of the RV

Ahhhh.....what WOULD we do without the non-stop Happy Hours????

Always smiling....always looking like that laugh will erupt....Charlie is quite a guy!!!

Room for six to dine in the RV!!

Yesterday, we joined so many of our friends at another square dance…..and it was great time, as this particular caller…Joe Saltel…..makes dancing so much fun, as well as mental and physical exercise!!!   The three couples of us…..stopped for lunch in Pharr at an interesting little place filled with memorabilia……of all types of items and pictures and….well, you name it, it was there somewhere!!!

Quaint....with many surprises inside!!!

The doorway into the Ladies restroom....and many surprises await you inside!!!! (Not the 1st Lady)

Door to the Mens Restroom!!!

The afternoon???  Well, the 1st Lady went to the pool for some relaxation!!  The Sagging Hulk of Me????   Well……………

Tuesday on the way back from the afternoon dance, driving home I looked back and saw flashing lights in the rear view mirror….directly behind ME!!!   SHIT……I couldn’t think that I had done anything wrong….the 1st Lady had her seat belt on….and so, I signaled and pulled over to the side of the street.  Digging around to retrieve my license from my wallet, the young Pharr police officer arrived at the window…….asking “how are you today?”   Well……what the shit!!!!!  How did he think I was?   I just replied that…”I was fine until just now!!”…haha!!

He grinned…and then told me I was not receiving any warning, etc…..and he didn’t need my license, but he wanted to let me know that BOTH of my taillights/stoplights were OUT!!!!  DEAD!!!…….OMG, how long have they been that way????   I thanked him profusely……and we went on our way.   You know……just who the hell has someone stand behind them and see if all lights are functioning properly when you step on the brake?????

I do that when I hook up the RV, but not in the car on any kind of regularity!!   Soooo, shit…they could have been out for entire damn trip!!!  I sure as hell don’t know!

So, while the 1st Lady was at the pool yesterday, I checked on my iPhone for a place that is close by that might be able to repair the problem, but ……….not before I got myself into all kinds of impossible contortions as I squirmed and shimmied my way under the dashboard…on both sides….attempting to locate the fuse panel box that is supposed to be under there, according to the car’s manual.  Not to be found!!!!   However, I thought I would have to start honking the horn for assistance when I got into some damn position between the seat/dashboard/and under the steering wheel……and couldn’t get my sagging hulk out!!!!!!  I got tickled ant began laughing at the problem, which didn’t help me extract my hulk of there.  But….with more physical contortions and pushing and pulling and flailing my legs out of the open doorway……can’t begin to imagine what the neighbors might have thought seeing those two skinny, hairy legs stuck out of the doorway jiggling and dancing and pushing and me trying to squirm and worm my way out of that damn car!!!!!!  What a visual picture that is!!!!!!!

But……after laughing my sagging ass off at this problem, I did manage to get out of there, no worse for the wear!  Soooooo…..that is when I went to the iPhone and looked up a garage.  Well….drove down there…about one mile…..and OMG…this place was soooo clean, so well kept with four bays all full of vehicles that I stopped and went inside.  Sooooo friendly and they moved one car out and put mine in…..and after going through some wiring and diagnostics, discovered that it was just the two rear bulbs that were burned out!   They, as well as myself, couldn’t believe at first that two of them would go out at the same time, so they had checked everything else before checking the bulbs.

I was soooo lucky to have found this place so close by and with such wonderful people there.  The name of the place????  CARVART AUTOMOTIVE!!!     IF you ever need something done and reasonably priced ………look them up here in Pharr!!!!!!

A bit later, we went over to Dave/Jean’s for Happy Hour……and, that was quickly followed by a short drive over to the RV Park where our friends, Pat and Tom, have their motor home.  And then…..a great evening we had with them!!!!  AND, their large parrot/McCaw…….Pety, or however they spell his name. He is such a grand bird…..well trained and quite nicely educated in his verbal skills.  He sat on top of the large cage all evening just chattering away at us….calling for popcorn, crackers, coughing(OH YES, he can cough just like we do, etc., etc., etc. 

Spreading his wings to show off to all of us!!

ALWAYS watching us for any sudden moves!!!

Ahhhh....something to nibble on!!

We sat around in their lovely RV and had a few drinks, learning of their family and grandchildren, and then we played a great game….Mexican Train game!!!!

Preparing to play Mexican Train Game!!!(along with some more of Tom's homemade wine!!)

Sooooo much fun with them…..and they are such wonderful, GREAT friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  They love to sq. dance also….that is how we became acquainted a few years ago…..and they are from a small town northwest of Topeka.  Better host and hostess you cannot find……..it was just an INCREDIBLE evening of fun!!!!!

Returning to the RV a bit after midnight……the night passed quickly, as it was a bit shorter than usual.  Soooo, I will get this posted sometime this morning at the Club House.  SURE DO MISS MY WIFI in the RV!!!!!!!!!   Having severe withdrawal symptoms, I am….I am!!!!  However, as always…….

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

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.....

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!!!!

LIFE IS SOOO GREAT…..!!!!

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

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!!!!

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!!!!!!!!

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!!!!!!

WOW……this weather is certainly reminding me of Misery….gray, dreary, and drizzling. Last night it rained soooooo much that it awakened us…..and this awake…sleep….awaken….sleep cycle continued throughout the night. According to the “sources” the last couple of days have brought more rain totaling more than this part of south Texas has had for the past year!!!!!! Yep……leave it to happen just after we arrived here……ugh!!

The 1st Lady and I had a very leisurely morning…….and, about mid-morning we decided to run over to Walmart for a couple of items. For the sagging hulk of Me…..a battery for my watch, as well as a watchband. For the 1st Lady: another enlarged needle for sewing on this knitted cap she has just about completed. And, of course….anything else that we might see that would make our Lives simpler and easier…..wine????

So, to explore a bit more of this area where we are staying, we went due west on the road…..Sioux Road…..that runs in front of the RV park. OMG……in no time at all we were seeing the Walmart sign, shortly after turning south on one of the streets that runs north/south. AND…..can you believe it (we couldn’t)…..there were very, very few people in this particular WM?????!!!!!

Finding the Jewelry Dept, I looked around at new watches…….nothing over $15 for me, as the one I have had for the last few years cost $9.99 at WM when I purchased it. I found one that was only $12.99 and soooo, I tried it on, with the assistance of the ever-watchful-eye of the sales clerk behind the counter…..and….EGADS!!!! It fit!!!! These damn new watches that full-sized men (big boned and TALL(er)than me) are sooooo wide and bulky that my entire wrist is covered with the edges of the watch hanging out into space…..my wrists being narrow and “thin”. But….this particular watch has the look of the bulky ones with all of the un-needed crap on them, so….I took it! To heck with the battery and watchband, as the total for those two items would have been quite a bit more costly than the new one!

Mission accomplished!!!! Or, so we thought until we returned to the 5er and remembered that we had forgotten the needle she needed…..ahhhhh, it is just so wonderful to have these damn brain farts that we seniors seem to have so many times each day! Sure we usually have lists to take with us, but …damn it…we only needed TWO things!!!! And, couldn’t remember that we had forgot to purchase the second item……OMG….what are our Lives coming to???

A quick lunch….some sit down time…..and then I loaded up this trusty little laptop and went over the Club House to get online where I could read the local papers, and surf the web. Or, so I thought……….. Oh yeah, I did get online, but the longer I remained there, the slower the wifi became until it was almost impossible to accomplish anything. DAMN!!!! There was a lady behind me….one of those blue-haired senior ladies…..(it really was BLUE)……she was cursing up a storm just like some horny sailor….because she couldn’t see one of her TV programs that she couldn’t get on her tellie!!!! It took tooooo long to down load and the streaming was soooooo slow it would take a minute or two for a tiny section….a few seconds of the program to download!

We began talking and she was just as pissed….obviously….as I was about not having park-wide WIFI here at Tip O’ Texas as part of the services that our rent/costs for our sites. The owners say that WIFI is a “leisure activity” and not a service!!! HUH??? WHAT THE HELL??? From what planet are these owners???? I KNOW we are waaayyyyy down just a few miles from the border, but get real!!!! WIFI is a necessity of Life in “this day and age”……we do all of our paying of bills, banking, most of our gift buying, even furniture purchases, etc., etc., etc by using WIFI. The 1st Lady does all of the billing for our son-in-law’s business……and, believe me, it is a TON of business that he has….and that the 1st Lady has to do for him!!!! I WOULD like to have a visit with the owners….yeah, sure……that will never happen, will it? OK….I am stepping down from my soapbox…….relax, readers!

Returning to the 5er, I just got this sagging hulk all comfy, a fresh cup of Fr. Roast coffee, and my current novel that I have already mentioned a few days ago….and snuggled up and sipped and read….and read and sipped. The late afternoon disappeared as I poured out the rest of that great coffee and measured ohhhhh-soooo-carefully my daily dosage of that dark red medicine, as it was theeee time for my daily intake!

The 1st Lady made a wonderful salad for a lite supper…..and we opened a bottle of salad dressing that was made by the same company, with the same dressing name, that we have fallen in love with and this particular bottle I was opening we had purchased down here. Poured it over the salad, tossed it carefully……filled my plate as did the 1st Lady….and, after the first few bites we looked at each other and each of us spoke at the same time…..”this is terrible”!!!! The dressing was not the same and we kept attempting to eat it….and wound up tossing the tossed salad into the trash! And, I will get rid of the dressing as it was horrible….ugh!!!

The evening was spent watching some shows which we both enjoy…..from HGTV and Lifetime…..and, by 9:30…my body which had been awakened too many times by the rains….was crying out for me to lay it down on the bed. And, after less that a paragraph of reading done after I had laid down in bed….and I turned out the light…..exhaustion swept over my body in a tidal wave all at once….a surprise tsunami and I was gone!

FRIDAY:

Coming down the stairs from the bedroom this morning, I quickly realized that once again…..it was another gray day! However, I knew that it would be brightened soon….as this was a square dancing morning. The RGV is the “square dancing capital of the nation”….and this morning, that is what we did. Of course, the very best part of this “exercise” is the absolutely most wonderful times we have with our friends who also square dance. OMG……there is just nothing like the incredible fun we have while we are together…….it is without a doubt…non-stop laughter and hilarious times!!!!!!! And, we soon realize that those that are in “our gang” are the ONLY ones that are having soooooo much fun!!!!!! In fact….some people came over after the dance…..they had been dancing on the other end of the hall……and said that “you guys are just having waaaayyyy toooo much fun”!!!!! THEEEE great thing is that it is this way each time we are at a dance together……we have more fun than anyone else……if we make a mistake(a wrong turn or just not sure which way to go) we just go right on moving around and don’t stop and get upset like most others do. WOW…….WOW!!!! Can’t wait until tomorrow night when we go to another dance!!!!!!!

Carl and Sara......as you can see....great friends from Colorado!!!!

Afterwards 12 of us all went to Cracker Barrel for lunch…..and, as you might expect….the laughter just continues. And this time, the server went right along with us…..a great personality he had, which really adds to the enjoyment of a meal.

Three tired and very full Canadian Senior Citizens....rocking away!!!!

Before we left, we made plans for all of us to go together over to Mexico on Monday!!!! EGADS…..I sure as hell hope we can make it back to the border to return to the states…..the laughter will continue, but even more so after a few Margaritas and some dancing, perhaps at “Elsa’s”, a wonderful small café with live music and a dance floor. I DO have to begin the re-stocking of our bar at TheHowserHouse in Misery. Any liquors that are imported to the states are soooooooooo much cheaper in Mexico, even after paying the Texas import taxes for liquor at the border when we return to the states. And….we do have to price some of the drugs/meds that the 1st Lady’s brother needs, as they are usually tons cheaper over there.

I have also been told that I should get a pedicure with the rest of the guys….so, guess I will wash my feet real good Monday morning…..haha!!!!!! (Isn’t that quite a visual for you???) They are quite cheap there, as well as the haircuts, but I don’t need one of them.

A little bit of down time….and then 6pm arrived….and it was time for drinks and dinner at the home of Jean and Dave Palmer, here in our RV Park. So, off we went with our wine in our hands and a couple of blocks away, we were warmly welcomed by our super friends from Loretto, Ontario, Canada…..The Palmers!!! Charlie and Katherine…..Ontario residents….were already there and enjoying the wine….and so, our wine was poured and the laughter and discussions and laughter began!!! It was a wonderful hour(s)….and the dinner that Jean served so graciously was wonderful….WONDERFUL!!!! Chicken breasts in a beautiful and flavored sauce, great green beans and carrots, baked potatoes, and then the final dessert….some incredible tiny tarts with such a wonderful filling…..just great!!!!

Drinks and discussions about our pensions, our Medicare plans, our medical insurance plans, and our own country’s schools and the way they are administered.. An evening of much fun and much comparisons…….the kind of evening that we all enjoyed as we compared the various plans of Canada and the USA.
And so….this has been an unusually long posting…..but, I hope I have wandered toooo much. Don’t want to keep you from reading this…..but, right now I have had waaaaayyyyy toooooo muchg of my dark red medicine……overdosed I am afraid!!! These Canadian friends of ours just keep me taking my meds……….and, I am afraid that tomorrow I will be realizing that I have had tooooo many doses!!! But……as always……

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

Today???   A leisurely morning……. One that I enjoyed greatly as I used the “free” time to begin reading “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”.  We saw the movie last month and really enjoyed it, but the 1st Lady had read the book and she insisted that I go ahead and read the book, as it is such a really good book.  Sooooo……that I am doing.

Lunch was earlier than usual, as we were going to a square dance about 3 miles from here in south Pharr, to dance with one of the very best callers in not only the RGV, but nationwide!  He calls here every winter and we just REALLY do enjoy dancing to his smooth style of calling out the moves.

So, about 12:30 we left….and were there in a few minutes, which…as always….depends on the traffic going through the business area of Pharr(a suburb of McAllen).  We had no more than arrived an walked inside the wonderful hall…..great for dancing with the hardwood floor….when we ran into others who had been dancing with us yesterday.  And then…….into the hall walked our “old friends” from 2008 who had their RV in Llano Grande Resort where we had ours.  They had taken lessons that year with us…..and, we have seen very little of them for about 3 years……such excitement between the four of us as handshakes and hugs and kisses going all around.  And….it was hard to quit talking and start dancing…..soooo much to catch up on.

Two great hours of dancing…..making mistakes as we just have not danced except once, since two years ago.  But…..it is soooooooo much fun, and mistakes keep it from being stiff and too serious.  When we are not down here where EVERYONE square dances……I forget just how much fun we have…..and how much we love it!

We were supposed to have gone from here in the Valley to Galveston the latter part of March as there is a Square Dance Cruise for 7 days!  But….when I had the foot problem and when it didn’t get any better until the last few weeks, we gave up on that little trip.  Now…….we wished we had gone ahead and made reservations as all of our good friends who dance are going on the cruise.  Next time…..!!!

From the dance, we drove out a bit further west to another RV park to visit with two Cedar Creek Club friends……Larry and Cindy Cross.  OMG……it was soooo much fun this afternoon at their RV (Cedar Creek, of course)…….we laughed and laughed and enjoyed some great wine(two bottles), but the fun we had with these two fun-loving friends……well, it was just an incredible afternoon!!!!!!   As Larry reads the blog, as well as writes his own, we want you to know how MUCH we enjoyed our time with the two of you!!

Cindy and the 1st Lady enjoying afternoon drinks in the Cross' RV

Returning to our park, we had a bite of supper……and then walked over to the Runnels’ RV(Charlie/Katherine).  And, of course……more wine was enjoyed!  As always…..stories evolved into laughter…..the next hour was wonderful.  OMG……do you realize how incredible this RGV is???????  There is never a dull or boring moment!!!  Some of us were talking the other evening……that we really should ALL tell our own children that we wish to be put into the SAME “old folks’ home”…..so we can continue to laugh our lives away….together!!!!!!!!!!

10pm…..and that lovely girl with the dragon tattoo is waiting for me upstairs.  Soooo, I will bring this to a close…..and with the rains coming down, I will refrain from walking over to the Club House to get this published.  Tomorrow…..a busy morning….and we will ALL probably go out to lunch together……YEAH!!!!!!

WEDNESDAY:  FEB 8, 2012:

OMG……did ever rain last night…….almost all night!!!!  Several times I was awakened by not just lovely little pitter-pats of the raindrops, but by the pounding of those huge raindrops……and BUCKETS of them.   For awhile, it was not easy to sleep, but finally my mind left me and my tired sagging hulk of Me took control….and back to sleep I went.

7:30AM…and I was up and the dark and delicious and rich French Roast coffee was soon dripping down into the carafe…..that rich aroma filling the lower level of the RV…..ahhhh, it was sooooo pungent and wonderful…..I can almost smell it as I write this.  I had ground my beans last night before going upstairs……and so, it didn’t take long before that deep, dark elixir was in my cup….which was in my hand….and I was taking slow sips…..ummmm, it was sooooo wonderful!  What a WONDERFUL way to begin the day!!!!

From then on, it was a bit of  déjà vu ……rushing around to get to school in those days….and today it was rushing around to be ready for our ride which took us to the Tropic Star RV Resort for……..oh yeah, you guessed it……two hours of SQUARE DANCING!!!!   Dave and Jean Palmer were the drivers today, and Charlie and Katherine had already been loaded into the van…..and, of course……it was POURING down rain when we left the RV, moving quickly to get into their van before we became drenched!

A few short minutes and we were unloading….in the rain….at the main hall of Tropic Star….and, OMG…..the place was already full of dancers!!!!!  EGADS!!!!! It was the most people I have seen there in several years……39 squares…..times 8 people….312 dancers all ready to move to the floor and for the music to begin.  But first………….

We were welcomed with sooooo many hugs and kisses as old (not aged) friends greeted us sooooo profusely and with such excitement and warm sincerity……WOW!!!!!
It was almost overwhelming for the 1st Lady and myself…….just unbelievable!  To all of you who are reading this……it was just sooooo GREAT to see you again(Sara and Carl, it is sooo wonderful to see how great you look Carl!!!)

Joe Saltel……the caller who is well-known nationwide, as well as in Europe…..welcomed us before the dancing began…….and then the music began….and for the next two hours……the fun, the exercise, the mental concentration, and being with our friends here was sooooo much fun.  Mistakes???  “You betcha”, as Ms Palin would, and does, say.  But, that is part of the fun.  For several years I have discussed this, but I continue to say it…….this is sooooo much fun, and you really should spend a few weeks in lessons and give it a chance.  It is unlike anything else that we have ever done….and while it is sometimes difficult,….it is such a great way to enjoy Life, retired or not retired!!!!   You have to try it….stick with it for several weeks, or until you finish the basic lessons….”Mainstream” as it is called.  Give it a try!!!!

Soooo, after a marvelous two hours…….the morning was completed.  Me????  By that time, my foot was letting me know that it was not happy with all of the walking I had done for those two hours…..in fact, it began to scream at me!!  I took some Excedrin Migraine as that works wonders within an hour…..and my foot then begins to calm down and act normal.  Not the way I want to run my Life, but I also know oooooh-soooo-well that the 1st Lady LOVES to dance and I do not want her to be upset when I can’t do it.  I am just going to have to learn how to deal with this annoying pain from time to time!

Soooo, off to lunch we went.  Driving over to the west side of McAllen/east side of Mission….as the two cities merge together and you cannot distinguish which is which with all of the shopping and eateries along the highway.  We went to “Cheddars” which we have never been to…..and, it was really quite good.  The server was personable and the type of person that I like to have take care of a table in a restaurant.  I ordered the Shepherd’s Pie……and it arrived in a different format than I am used to:  it was the dinner plate with the normal inside part of the pie supporting the mashed potatoes on top of the ground beef, peas, onions, and spices.  Good it was….but I probably would not order it again as by putting it all out on the plate, the heat of the “pie” left  and it cooled way tooo quickly, as compared to being prepared and cooked and served in one of those normal small, individual baking dishes.  The 1st Lady had the Chicken Pot Pie….and, it certainly did look good, and she spoke highly of the texture and the flavors that were in the pie.

Charlie, Katherine, Dave, Jean, and the 1st Lady

We returned to the park a bit after 2pm…..and, I quickly went about emptying the holding tanks as they had not been opened to drain since we arrived on Friday afternoon.  The 1st Lady went off to do a bit of shopping for some much needed items for us.

Rain returned…..and darkness is now descending upon the Valley, the clouds are thick and dark, and the air is filled with moisture…thick with it!  Tonight….a great night to read or watch a bit of the tellie……and just continue to hope that the prognosticators are completely wrong with their predictions about the rest of this week!!!!!

Sooooo, another wonderful day in the lives of the two of us retired educators.  And, as you already know…….

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