Arriba's

The other day one of the woman at the park organized a champagne party just for the ladies.  It was a gorgeous day.

Champagne Party

We went around the circle and everyone told something interesting about their life.  The woman in the wheel chair worked for the F.B.I. when she graduated from high school.  She matched fingerprints from a crime scene to those they had on file.  No computers then.  Everyone had something interesting to share.

The women's husbands met at a different RV.  They joined us later and we had a fun evening of dancing.

On Monday the park went to Arriba's in Mexico.  We do that once a month.  We have a few drinks, some lunch and we dance.  It is always a fun time as most people attend.  We took up 3 long tables. 

Arriba's

We sure do a lot of dancing.  It is good exercise.

There is just one musician there.  He plays the keyboard and sings.  Merchants come around and sell their wares to the patrons.  It is difficult to say no.  Brenda talked me into buying two bracelets.

Our Musician

Today it is 32C.  A group from our park went to Boca Chica on the Gulf of Mexico.  They invited us to go with them, but it is very hot today.  There are no facilities there of any kind; not even bathrooms.  They loaded up their trucks with coolers and the like.

Brenda and I are going to South Padre Island for winter fest.  We will be gone Wed. and Thurs. so we feel that is enough.  One does have things to do in preparation.

A friend from home told me it is -42C with the windchill.  O.M.G.!  I feel for you!  I really do!
Keep warm if you can.

Border Patrol

Yesterday our park went to the Border Patrol station.  These are the men and women you see on the T.V. show called Border Wars.  The officer spoke to us about patrolling the border and then took us to the holding rooms to see people who had been apprehended after illegally crossing the border between Mexico and the U.S.A.  Some people they catch over and over again.  What they do is hold them for a day and then take them back to Mexico.

 Of course, a lot of their work entails drug raids and seizures.  Using  power point she described the various equipment they use to night spot and the like.  It was very interesting.  She then took us all outside and showed us their vehicles.

Our Group

Border Patrol Vehicles

After the tour many from our park went to V.F.W., which is Veterans of Foreign Wars, where we danced from 4:30 pm until 7:30 pm.  A couple of people had birthdays and shared their cake with us.  Yum!

I took a few photos of our park flowers.  They just bloom continuously. The bush with the yellow flowers makes these pods.

Hibiscus

Yellow Bells/Trumpet Bush

 
 Now to go out and enjoy this 27C day.

A Dog's Birthday Party

Yesterday I did something that I had never done before.....I attended a birthday party for a dog.  It was Pocket's birthday and all the dogs in the park were invited as were their owners.  Jude made two cakes.  She made a cake for the dogs and a cake for the humans.  Pockets was her usual lovely self all bedecked in pink.

Pockets and Jude

 There was quite a variety of dogs there.  My favourite was this terrier.  He was well-behaved and handsome.

Each of the dogs were fed their treats and then the humans were allowed to enjoy theirs.  It was a gorgeously hot day and there was quite a turn out.  I would estimate that there were about 25 people at the party.

After all had eaten, Pockets opened her gifts.  There were many doggie treats given.  I mean, really, what can you buy for a dog?    I gave an origami dollar bill.  Notice the resemblance to Pockets.

When it came time to sing Happy Birthday to Pockets, I just could not.  After all, Pockets is a d-o-g.  I read this sign that said, "Dogs are People Too", but, of course, dogs are not people.  They are not allowed in restaurants, movie theaters, hospitals for people, etc.  I realize that people love their pets, but let's not forget that they are animals of a different degree.

However, it was a fun party and another time to gather together and enjoy the day.

Today we went to Harlingen with Penny and Swan.  Harlingen is a pretty little city here in the Valley.

Harlingen

We were looking for an advertised event, but found it rather late in the day.  Here you will find that events are advertised but no addresses are given.  We find it rather strange and it is quite common.  We decided to go for lunch to El Sombrero, a restaurant we had enjoyed once before.  Prices are so reasonable here.  I had Asado de Puerco, which is a pork dish.

Asado de Puerco

There was also rice, refried beans and a small salad.  A small bowl of soup was given before the meal, as were nachos and salsa.  This dish cost $5.99.  It was way more than I could eat.

This evening in the rec hall they celebrated all the Jan. birthdays and anniversaries with cake and ice cream for all....so I had way, way too much to eat today. 

Almost every day it seems to be snowing in Red Deer, AB.

I really do feel sorry for y'all.  Keep warm.  The days are passing quickly and I will be home before you know it.

Hot Water

We woke up this morning to find the hot water tank dripping worse than ever.  However, the replacement tank had come in and the guys were ready to roll yet once again.  Of course, what should be a simple operation never is.  The insulating material around the tank had swollen making it difficult to pull out the old tank.  After much pulling and kicking it was finally out.

Old Tank

New Tank

 In no time at all the new tank was placed.  I had to run to the hardware store with Swan and we had to get a new door for the hot water tank.  Actually it was a new door with the frame the door attaches to.  From there the men hooked up the propane, tested for leaks and set about doing the wiring. 

 The greatest thing is that now all I have to do is push the rocker switch and the hot water will ignite.  No more going outside in our pajamas, running around the motor home and lighting the hot water.   How cool is that!

Poor George and Swan worked from about 9:30 this morning until almost 7 pm.  Neighbour Bob came over and helped with the wiring.  He was an airplane electrician in his former life.  I felt sorry for the men.  Like me, they are not spring chickens and have problems with their knees and backs and yet they crawled into the narrow spaces of the motor home and made sure everything was running as it should. 

I am extremely fortunate to be surrounded by such good people.  Thank you to all who helped.  I appreciate it more than I can express.

More Folding

Today I taught my second origami class.  People are really interested in learning to fold dollar bills.  This week's project was more difficult than the heart or the shirt, although some people are struggling with the shirt.  Today we made both an elephant and a ring.

Elephant

Ring

 We began once again with paper from a magazine, which I had cut approx. twice the size of a dollar bill.  It is always good to get some practice in before folding money because if you get too many folds you get lost, and you can throw a magazine paper away and begin anew.  Also, it is easier to fold a big piece of paper than a small one.  Anyone who has sewed Barbie Doll clothes knows it is easier to sew for oneself than it is for Barbie.

My Class

Frankly, I was surprised by the turn out.  I was expecting perhaps one or two people, but as you can see 8 people showed up.  They were fast learners.   

Next Wednesday the origamists want me to go over all the projects, so we will fold the heart, the shirt, the elephant and the ring.  Review is good.  I also encourage anyone to come by my RV at any time if they need help.  The folds today were a bit more complicated than the first projects we did, especially the elephant.  

I love to teach.  Thanks for showing up class!

Line-dancing

Yesterday Brenda and I joined others in our rec centre for line-dancing classes. Yes, there are men there as well, you just can't see them in the photo. Line-dancing looks deceptively easy to do, but in fact, is quite difficult to master.

The line-dancers

We learned three different dances yesterday.  Some of us had some line-dancing experience and some had never tried before.  I found the last time that the best thing was to do, do, do, until you got it right.  Also, try to get into the music and the steps will follow.  

When we go to dances around here the line-dancers have this sour look on their faces.  That is because they are counting in their heads.  On-lookers have mentioned that they wouldn't want to line- dance because line-dancers don't look like they are having any fun.  In time the steps should become somewhat automatic.  My friend, Donna, knows over 300 different line dances.  She says she is now up to the 64 count dances and has difficulty falling asleep at night because she is counting the steps in her head.  She is wondering if that is too much.  When it ceases to be fun, then it is too much I think.  

In praise of line-dancing, it gives the women a chance to get up and dance when their partners can't or  won't.  I have also met some men line-dancers who took it up because their wives can't or won't dance.  Also, some of the steps can be used for couples dancing.  Yesterday we learned the waltz....to be used for singles or couples.  

Whether we do well or poorly in the dance class, it is good exercise and good for the brain. So get out there and try something new....even line-dancing!

The Fridge Saga Continues

It never rains, it pours!  This morning upon awakening I noticed that once again our fridge was warm.  Brenda quickly packed up our food and took it over to George's so we wouldn't have to throw our food out again.  I told Brenda that enough was enough and it was time I bought a new fridge.

Earlier this week I was speaking with an RV repair man and he said an RV fridge would cost me $1300 plus installation.  I decided I would buy a compact fridge and make it fit.  I spent an hour on line checking prices and then away Brenda and I went fridge shopping.  I found the fridge I wanted at Home Depot for $188.  It has a small freezer compartment and a decent sized small fridge.  I had the young fellow at Home Depot load it into the front seat of my little Echo.  Poor Brenda, with her LONG legs had to sit in the back seat behind me, but we made it the short distance home.

One of the men from our park, Don, helped me unload the fridge.  Brenda went to get George to see if he could help.  He and Don went right to work.  They almost had the old fridge out when Swan appeared.  He pitched right in.  Along came Wes and another Don and they watched and offered advise.  

In another few minutes, Lewis and his wife, Marilyn, stopped by in their car and asked how come we didn't let them know what was going on!  Marilyn said Lewis was pretty handy with tools and to let them know if we needed help.

The men hard at work

There was much banging, tearing, cutting, snipping, capping and sawing going on. There was also a lot of laughing going on!  In next to no time the new fridge was in.  But alas, the fridge door wouldn't open.  I had moved the upper hinge to the left side of the fridge, but had forgotten about the bottom hinge.  

Along came James and between him and George they moved the bottom hinge.  They up righted the fridge and screwed it down so it wouldn't move.  

The men are going to build a shelf over the fridge and then we can put a microwave in.  

What can I say?  We would be so lost without the good people in our park.  Our park may not be fancy and have a lot of frills, but we wouldn't trade our neighbours for all the frills in America.  They are second to none and take good care of "The Girls" and the other people in the park.  

My hot water tank sprung a leak this week as well.  Swan is checking the internet and says he will find the parts and once again he and the other men will make it all work for us.  To say we are thankful would be an understatement. WE LOVE YOU GUYS!  THANK YOU.

McAllen Travel Show

Today we went with Wes and Jude to the McAllen Travel Show.  McAllen is the biggest city in this area of the Rio Grande Valley.  It was the perfect excursion for a rainy day.  The McAllen Convention Centre is a beautiful building surrounded by palm trees and other vegetation.

McAllen Convention Centre

The travel show was much like we would call a trade fair.  There were many booths with information of different states and Mexican tours.  Almost every booth had a give-a-way and a form to fill out for a draw.

Brenda and I picked up quite a few maps and travel books as we will need to plan our route home.  We are thinking of going through Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and the Dekota's, but have made no definite plans as of yet.  We will certainly by-pass any mountain ranges we can and come into Alberta from the east.

There was beautiful Mexican artwork at the show.  Some of the bead work was to die for.  Brenda bought a bookmark made from colored straw.  Each little piece was placed by hand.  It was incredible.  The jewelry was also gorgeous.  One could only wish that they had enough money to afford to buy.

So what else did I see?  There was a mermaid....a real one!  And there was a gecko.

Real Gecko

Real Mermaid

The gecko was from the Brownsville Zoo.  Apparently our RV park has a trip to the zoo planned.  I like zoos.  Brownsville is just below S. Padre Island.  I was there once on my last Texas trip.

As we were leaving the Convention Centre we met a sheriff from Dodge City, Kansas.  He is only the sheriff of the museum in Dodge City.  He told us he had only made one arrest and he felt bad about it.  He said when people come to Dodge City they like to dress the part.  One man had all the trimmings of the old west.  He had a hat, vest, chaps and a gun.  His costume was made of brown paper and the sheriff had to arrest him for rustling.

As you can see by my bags I left the centre with a lot of stuff!

When we arrived back to the park I noticed a cactus was in bloom behind us.

Tomorrow we are off to the RV show.  They are giving away an RV in a draw.....sigh....maybe I will win!!!!

Museum of Southern Texas

On Thursday we went to the museum in Edinburg, Texas. It was very interesting. The history of the Rio Grande Valley and the related border Mexican towns was covered. I really felt sorry for Mexico. It seems like some country was always after their land. If it wasn't the Spanish it was the Americans. 

Here I am in the photo wearing a replica of a Spanish helmet and breastplate.  The helmet was extremely heavy. I cannot imagine wearing it for any length of time. As you can see I have my winter jacket on.  It was a wet and chilly day.  The displays were well done and there was a lot to read. 

The Rio Grande Valley was named the Magic Valley because almost all fruits and vegetables will grow here if irrigated. Crops are grown the year round.

When I arrived back in Donna I attempted to add this to my blog, but the blog would not download photos.  I went to help and saw that others were having the same problem so I am waiting for it to be rectified.  In the meantime I wrote part of this in Windows Live Writer.  I have never used that program before, so needless to say, it has been a challenge.  I do however want to get something posted. 

In reading some others' blogs I see that some of you have made New Year resolutions or set goals.  I too have to set some goals.

1.  I need to swear off sugar.  Alas, that means no more chocolate, or perhaps only dark chocolate that is sugarless.  Yum, Yum.

2.  I need to go back to eating many small meals a day instead of a couple of large meals.  My roommate and I have different eating habits, but the small meal habit works best for me.  When I ignore that, like now, I become hypoglycemic and get fat. 

3. I have to increase my aerobic exercise.  I have been doing just too much sitting and visiting. Next week we are supposed to have an exercise/line dancing class on Mondays here in the park.  I will definitely partake.  Also, one could dance 10 times a week by visiting other RV parks and I will need to participate in some of those.  It wouldn't hurt to ride my bike more often either.  This past week was not conducive to outdoor activities as it was cold and wet.  For three days we wore jeans and winter jackets.  The temperature is slowly rising this week. 

It seems like we are always busy and the time passes quickly.  We have something scheduled for every day this week. 

I hope you are all well and happy.  Until next time....

New Year

 

Another year has come and gone.....unbelievable how quickly time flies.  It is difficult to believe that two months have passed since Brenda and I left Canada.  It seems like it was a week or two ago.

We spent New Year's Eve at the Dolphin Park with our RVing friends and neighbours.  We began the evening with food (of course).  One of the couples has a permanent park model unit and invited everyone to their house to watch the fireworks.  The Texans around this here part of the world like their fireworks. 

Fireworks at the Dolphin

 

As it neared midnight the number of fireworks increased.  This is the view from our park.  Fireworks were set off all over the Rio Grande Valley.  It would appear that anyone can purchase fireworks.  It was difficult to get a good photo without a tripod. 

Galeria, Nuevo Progreso
 

On New Year's Day we went to Nuevo Progreso.  Brenda and I had planned that the night before....we would leave at 1 pm.  A friend stopped by next day and said they were going to Mexico earlier if we wanted to drive with them, so I told Brenda I would rather leave earlier than later.  Once in Mexico I was surprised to see Penny and Swan behind us.  Then I saw another couple from the Dolphin.  As it worked out, Brenda had planned a surprise birthday party for me in Mexico at the Galeria.  Half the park came out and it was a fun time of dancing and laughing.  It sure meant a lot to me that so many of our neighbours helped celebrate my birthday. 

Today is chilly.....only a high of 11C.  We have our winter coats on today.  Also Brenda and I brought our computers to the rec hall so we don't have to heat the motorhome.  We are not cheap, we are frugal!  That is what Brenda says, anyway.

I want to wish all my friends and family a very HAPPY NEW YEAR.   May you be happy, healthy and prosperous in 2013.