Dec 28th – Tues – Mesa
I installed our replacement modem this morning – again not a straightforward job but it looks as if it will work OK. Then we headed to WalMart for groceries and got them put away just in time to head to the courtyard for music. Ernie & Dianne were there so we invited them over for dinner. I thawed a couple more steaks which Terry kind of over-seared on the BBQ but they were alright. After dinner, we showed pictures and barely knew when to stop!
Dec 29th – Wed – Mesa
Before it started to rain this morning, Terry rode his bike to get water and picked up the mail. I have no idea how he got back with 2 gallons of water and a big envelope of mail!
It rained all day and we didn’t go out at all. I cooked the hamburger, onions & green peppers for chili on Saturday, did a bit of cleaning and relaxed with magazines & a book. Terry switched to a new game on the computer to drive himself crazy.
We joined Ernie & Dianne and Larry & Julie for a dance from 6 to 8. Then we went to Arizona Casino to meet cousin Pat, Rick and Kim. Pat & Rick are going to be house sitting in Scottsdale for Tim & Kim for 2 weeks. We spent our allowance (and more!) in short order & were home by just after 10.
Dec 30th – Thurs – Mesa
We were still in bed watching TV at 8 this morning when a neighbor knocked on the door to tell us that our portable awning was in the back of our truck and leaning against the other neighbor’s motor home as the result of a huge wind & rain storm last night. We tossed on pants & jackets and got it out before it could move and damage something. A couple of legs broke when we tried to straighten them and the top was ripped so we packed it into the garbage can. We also had chairs and tables blown around but nothing damaged.
We made a trip to Total Wine to stock up on booze and of course had to stop for yet more groceries. We reserved a room in the community center for our get together on Saturday as it is way too cold to have it outside. Then we rode our bikes to tell everyone of the change in plans. It took us a while as we kept chatting with everyone, had a beer with Bill & Lauri and then a drink with Larry & Norma who just got back from Colorado.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Dec 25th to 27th - Mesa
Dec 25th – MERRY CHRISTMAS
We had a very relaxing morning before going to brunch at 11 at Neal & Judi’s. Joining us on a beautiful sunny day were Larry & Julie and Bill & Lauri. Judi is a very good cook and put on a lovely meal – quiche, smoked salmon, romaine/pear/pecan salad, curried fruit compote, sliced tomatoes with fresh mozzarella, a bread/bun selection and a noodle/cottage cheese casserole (think perogies). Of course the tables were beautifully set and coordinated and I got my first taste of a gin fizz.
We couldn’t tarry too long as we were expected at Ernie & Dianne’s at 1 and were not too late. When Garry & Stephane arrived, Dianne helped them with their new computer and then Garry decided he had to fill his dream of going to the pool on Christmas day so the rest of us played LCR. When Garry returned, we played 10,000 (dice game) and more LCR.
After a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, we played Arizona Rummy. We finally had pie which we were all still too full to really enjoy, played more cards and left just after 11.
Dec 26th – Sun – Mesa
I recently printed more personal cards for Stephane and luckily she had not separated them yet as she now has an email address which I added to the cards this morning. Then I printed some invitations (to remind all of us with failing memories!) for a gathering that we will have on Jan 1st. Next was one of my favorite activities – spending a lot of time on the phone to a tech support person, this time trying to get our new wifi modem to work consistently. The tech finally decided that there is a problem with the unit itself rather than the way it is set up so we have to take it back to Best Buy.
After a light breakfast, we rode our bikes to deliver invitations & return other items, visited with Bill for a bit and gave Terry a haircut. At 1 we picked up Ernie & Dianne and went to Filly‘s bar in Apache Junction. There was a singer (Pete Byam) rather than a band but he was really good and an excellent joke teller as well. The weather was not too hot and we had to take off and put back on our jackets as the sun went behind clouds or umbrellas. We danced a bit, had lunch and left just before 4.
Dec 27th – Mon – Mesa
We started the day doing laundry along with a lot of other people. After we put the clothes in the washers, we had to get more money put on the laundry card, bought tickets for a dance and delivered a couple more invitations.
I made a late breakfast and then we headed to Best Buy where we got a new modem and 2 new phones as ours were due for an upgrade. Terry opted for a Droid as he always “needs” new toys. We also got a new holster for his larger phone and I splurged on Print Shop software. We made a stop for a few groceries on the way home.
I made a cabbage & apple salad and we went to Ernie & Dianne’s for leftover turkey dinner. The 4 of us played a game of Wizard before Stephane & Garry arrived and then a few rounds of LCR before dinner. After another good dinner, we played Arizona Rummy until 11:30. The card games were interrupted by dessert and a phone call to Bill Hughes to wish him a Happy Birthday.
We had a very relaxing morning before going to brunch at 11 at Neal & Judi’s. Joining us on a beautiful sunny day were Larry & Julie and Bill & Lauri. Judi is a very good cook and put on a lovely meal – quiche, smoked salmon, romaine/pear/pecan salad, curried fruit compote, sliced tomatoes with fresh mozzarella, a bread/bun selection and a noodle/cottage cheese casserole (think perogies). Of course the tables were beautifully set and coordinated and I got my first taste of a gin fizz.
We couldn’t tarry too long as we were expected at Ernie & Dianne’s at 1 and were not too late. When Garry & Stephane arrived, Dianne helped them with their new computer and then Garry decided he had to fill his dream of going to the pool on Christmas day so the rest of us played LCR. When Garry returned, we played 10,000 (dice game) and more LCR.
After a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, we played Arizona Rummy. We finally had pie which we were all still too full to really enjoy, played more cards and left just after 11.
Dec 26th – Sun – Mesa
I recently printed more personal cards for Stephane and luckily she had not separated them yet as she now has an email address which I added to the cards this morning. Then I printed some invitations (to remind all of us with failing memories!) for a gathering that we will have on Jan 1st. Next was one of my favorite activities – spending a lot of time on the phone to a tech support person, this time trying to get our new wifi modem to work consistently. The tech finally decided that there is a problem with the unit itself rather than the way it is set up so we have to take it back to Best Buy.
After a light breakfast, we rode our bikes to deliver invitations & return other items, visited with Bill for a bit and gave Terry a haircut. At 1 we picked up Ernie & Dianne and went to Filly‘s bar in Apache Junction. There was a singer (Pete Byam) rather than a band but he was really good and an excellent joke teller as well. The weather was not too hot and we had to take off and put back on our jackets as the sun went behind clouds or umbrellas. We danced a bit, had lunch and left just before 4.
Dec 27th – Mon – Mesa
We started the day doing laundry along with a lot of other people. After we put the clothes in the washers, we had to get more money put on the laundry card, bought tickets for a dance and delivered a couple more invitations.
I made a late breakfast and then we headed to Best Buy where we got a new modem and 2 new phones as ours were due for an upgrade. Terry opted for a Droid as he always “needs” new toys. We also got a new holster for his larger phone and I splurged on Print Shop software. We made a stop for a few groceries on the way home.
I made a cabbage & apple salad and we went to Ernie & Dianne’s for leftover turkey dinner. The 4 of us played a game of Wizard before Stephane & Garry arrived and then a few rounds of LCR before dinner. After another good dinner, we played Arizona Rummy until 11:30. The card games were interrupted by dessert and a phone call to Bill Hughes to wish him a Happy Birthday.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Dec 19th to 24th - Mesa
Dec 19th – Sun – Mesa
I started the day with a lovely long phone call to cousin Pat and then went through a huge Sunday newspaper & ads which we are getting while our neighbors are gone to Colorado.
We got some new coffee cups and decided that we needed a couple more. Of course, the store now does not have any more – and I have to admit that Terry was right when he said we should get more initially. We spent some time in stores trying to figure out a way to secure the TV remote above the bed so I can turn off the TV when Terry falls asleep but it stays put so it doesn’t keep landing on Terry’s head – no luck there either.
The rest of the day was kind of lazy with some cleaning & visiting.
Dec 20th – Mon – Mesa
We were supposed to golf with Neil & Robin today but didn’t get things set up so just visited with them for a while, stopped at Bill & Lauri’s for a bit and then went shopping. We were still trying to find more coffee cups with no luck. We got some tins for buddy burners at a couple of Goodwill stores, stopped for breakfast/lunch, went to Costco for coffee and then to 2 Hobby Lobby stores to use 40% off coupons to buy blocks of wax for buddy burners.
We went to Fry’s looking for tart shells. They didn’t have any but I needed just a couple of other items and stood in line forever to check out. Terry was getting diesel and parked to come looking for me as I took so long.
We made buddy burners when we got back and then went to Garry & Stephane’s for dinner. After dinner we played Arizona Rummy. Garry must have had horseshoes somewhere as he won 3 of 5 games. Terry had a very bad night and didn’t win while Stephane & I won one each.
We played the 5th game hoping Terry would win and ended up leaving after midnight. I saw the eclipse of the moon when we walked back but didn’t know it until I saw it on TV the next morning.
Dec 21st – Tues – Mesa
We continued our fruitless search for tart shells at two more grocery stores and just ended up with ingredients for some candy & cookies. I made 2 batches of fudge, 2 batches of peanut brittle and baked shortbread cookies that were in the fridge.
Line dancing lessons were moved to the Fiesta community center as the ballroom was all set up for the Christmas dinner tomorrow. We reviewed a couple of dances and learned another new one to get quite a workout. We drove to the dance lessons as we thought the rain from earlier in the day might return before we got back.
Dec 22nd – Wed – Mesa
I felt just a couple of rain drops while we were playing bocce ball this morning but it was warm enough to shed our jackets partway through the first game. I had mixed up cookie dough before we left and it was chilled enough for baking when we finished breakfast. Ernie & Dianne stopped by for a visit after they completed their daily gym workout.
I got out the sewing machine – altered a blouse for Lauri, shortened a Tshirt for me and sewed down plackets on a shirt/jacket that refused to lay flat.
We got ready for the park Christmas dinner and just after 4 went to Billy & Lauri’s for a drink first. We were joined by Larry & Julie, Neal & Judi and Neil & Robin. Except for Neil & Robin, this was the group at our table. We were pleasantly surprised to find Bill & Jan also at our table. We met Bill on our first morning bike ride and have seen them many times since.
The dinner and entertainment were very nice. Round tables were set with black tablecloths & napkins, a centerpiece, wine glasses, chocolate cream pie and a carafe each of red & white wine on each table. Volunteers at 2 serving lines dished up plates of chicken cordon bleu, potatoes au gratin and mixed vegetables. Then we added rolls, butter and salad before heading back to our tables. Singer Tina Peoples provided the entertainment with her lovely voice in a selection of Christmas songs. Terry won a flashlight/multi tool in the door prize drawings.
Terry got talked into joining a poker game after dinner so I went next door to the puzzle room. The first thing I did on the way back was step into a huge puddle as it rained quite hard while we were inside.
Dec 23rd – Thurs – Mesa
I called Ernie & Dianne early this morning and asked them over for cinnamon rolls & fruit for breakfast. We ended up showing them some pictures and used up most of the morning.
After a break for Ernie & Dianne to work out at the gym, we joined them to go to WalMart & Costco. We got back just in time for happy hour at Gary & Dianne’s as they had asked us over a couple of days ago. Then it was time to pick up Ernie & Dianne and Garry & Stephane for a trip to Fat Willy’s for appetizers for dinner. Phew!!
Of course it was too early to call it a day so we christened Ernie & Dianne’s new round table by playing Arizona Rummy until midnight. Terry won a game tonight and then went back to his ugly cards.
Dec 24th – Fri – Mesa
We dropped off some cookies & candy for Larry & Julie and Bill & Lauri before picking up Ernie & Dianne at 9 for a trip to the Marketplace for breakfast and shopping. Dianne was looking for items to make candy coated pretzels and I think she is all set now. Terry got a golf bag and moved over all his stuff before we had a light lunch.
I made a couple of appetizers and we headed to Bill & Lauri’s for an “appy” dinner with them, Larry & Julie and Neal & Judi. It was a little cool after the sun went down but we gathered around Bill’s large buddy burner to keep warm.
We went to the Fiesta community center to check out a Christmas Eve program but it was already in progress and we were tired so we came home. And it is obviously time for me to catch up my blog!
Merry Christmas to all!!!
I started the day with a lovely long phone call to cousin Pat and then went through a huge Sunday newspaper & ads which we are getting while our neighbors are gone to Colorado.
We got some new coffee cups and decided that we needed a couple more. Of course, the store now does not have any more – and I have to admit that Terry was right when he said we should get more initially. We spent some time in stores trying to figure out a way to secure the TV remote above the bed so I can turn off the TV when Terry falls asleep but it stays put so it doesn’t keep landing on Terry’s head – no luck there either.
The rest of the day was kind of lazy with some cleaning & visiting.
Dec 20th – Mon – Mesa
We were supposed to golf with Neil & Robin today but didn’t get things set up so just visited with them for a while, stopped at Bill & Lauri’s for a bit and then went shopping. We were still trying to find more coffee cups with no luck. We got some tins for buddy burners at a couple of Goodwill stores, stopped for breakfast/lunch, went to Costco for coffee and then to 2 Hobby Lobby stores to use 40% off coupons to buy blocks of wax for buddy burners.
We went to Fry’s looking for tart shells. They didn’t have any but I needed just a couple of other items and stood in line forever to check out. Terry was getting diesel and parked to come looking for me as I took so long.
We made buddy burners when we got back and then went to Garry & Stephane’s for dinner. After dinner we played Arizona Rummy. Garry must have had horseshoes somewhere as he won 3 of 5 games. Terry had a very bad night and didn’t win while Stephane & I won one each.
We played the 5th game hoping Terry would win and ended up leaving after midnight. I saw the eclipse of the moon when we walked back but didn’t know it until I saw it on TV the next morning.
Dec 21st – Tues – Mesa
We continued our fruitless search for tart shells at two more grocery stores and just ended up with ingredients for some candy & cookies. I made 2 batches of fudge, 2 batches of peanut brittle and baked shortbread cookies that were in the fridge.
Line dancing lessons were moved to the Fiesta community center as the ballroom was all set up for the Christmas dinner tomorrow. We reviewed a couple of dances and learned another new one to get quite a workout. We drove to the dance lessons as we thought the rain from earlier in the day might return before we got back.
Dec 22nd – Wed – Mesa
I felt just a couple of rain drops while we were playing bocce ball this morning but it was warm enough to shed our jackets partway through the first game. I had mixed up cookie dough before we left and it was chilled enough for baking when we finished breakfast. Ernie & Dianne stopped by for a visit after they completed their daily gym workout.
I got out the sewing machine – altered a blouse for Lauri, shortened a Tshirt for me and sewed down plackets on a shirt/jacket that refused to lay flat.
We got ready for the park Christmas dinner and just after 4 went to Billy & Lauri’s for a drink first. We were joined by Larry & Julie, Neal & Judi and Neil & Robin. Except for Neil & Robin, this was the group at our table. We were pleasantly surprised to find Bill & Jan also at our table. We met Bill on our first morning bike ride and have seen them many times since.
The dinner and entertainment were very nice. Round tables were set with black tablecloths & napkins, a centerpiece, wine glasses, chocolate cream pie and a carafe each of red & white wine on each table. Volunteers at 2 serving lines dished up plates of chicken cordon bleu, potatoes au gratin and mixed vegetables. Then we added rolls, butter and salad before heading back to our tables. Singer Tina Peoples provided the entertainment with her lovely voice in a selection of Christmas songs. Terry won a flashlight/multi tool in the door prize drawings.
Terry got talked into joining a poker game after dinner so I went next door to the puzzle room. The first thing I did on the way back was step into a huge puddle as it rained quite hard while we were inside.
Dec 23rd – Thurs – Mesa
I called Ernie & Dianne early this morning and asked them over for cinnamon rolls & fruit for breakfast. We ended up showing them some pictures and used up most of the morning.
After a break for Ernie & Dianne to work out at the gym, we joined them to go to WalMart & Costco. We got back just in time for happy hour at Gary & Dianne’s as they had asked us over a couple of days ago. Then it was time to pick up Ernie & Dianne and Garry & Stephane for a trip to Fat Willy’s for appetizers for dinner. Phew!!
Of course it was too early to call it a day so we christened Ernie & Dianne’s new round table by playing Arizona Rummy until midnight. Terry won a game tonight and then went back to his ugly cards.
Dec 24th – Fri – Mesa
We dropped off some cookies & candy for Larry & Julie and Bill & Lauri before picking up Ernie & Dianne at 9 for a trip to the Marketplace for breakfast and shopping. Dianne was looking for items to make candy coated pretzels and I think she is all set now. Terry got a golf bag and moved over all his stuff before we had a light lunch.
I made a couple of appetizers and we headed to Bill & Lauri’s for an “appy” dinner with them, Larry & Julie and Neal & Judi. It was a little cool after the sun went down but we gathered around Bill’s large buddy burner to keep warm.
We went to the Fiesta community center to check out a Christmas Eve program but it was already in progress and we were tired so we came home. And it is obviously time for me to catch up my blog!
Merry Christmas to all!!!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Dec 16th to 18th - Mesa
Dec 16th – Thurs – Mesa
Terry took Dennis & Gloria to the airport at 8 this morning while I made a fruit salad and cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Friends Gary & Carie (from Victoria, met them in Savannah GA) are staying in Casa Grande and came to see us today. We had coffee & breakfast with them and Bill & Lauri and all caught up on each other’s news.
Even though the forecast was for showers and it was cloudy, we decided to go ahead with plans for a bike ride along the canal. Bill & Lauri turned back after a couple of miles as Lauri has not been feeling well and at the 5 mile mark where we were going to turn around, the sprinkles turned to showers so we were pretty wet when we got back to the park. We parked the bikes under cover and toured the main building. After drying out back at our rig, we made a quick trip to Hobby Lobby for a couple of items for Carie and then Ernie & Dianne joined us at Fat Willy’s for beer and appetizers. Back to the rig for a drink, loaded up the bikes and Gary & Carie left just after 8.
Dec 17th – Fri – Mesa
We played bocce ball this morning and then went to Best Buy for a new wifi “modem” to replace our air card. It is still with Verizon but can handle up to five wireless enabled devices (computers, printers, etc) and costs $35 a month rather than the $60 that we have been paying. It only allows 3 gigabytes of usage instead of the 5 gigs of the previous unit but we never used 3 gigs a month.
From there we went to the Ak Chin casino in Maricopa and played the slots until 6 when we met Gary & Carie for the seafood buffet. We had won back some of our losses before dinner so of course we had to stay and get rid of the winnings before leaving at 9.
Dec 18th – Sat – Mesa
I tried to set up the new modem this morning (over and over again) and finally Terry decided we better go back to Best Buy. We signed up at the Geek Squad desk, waited our turn and a very busy tech got us connected to the internet. We shut down the computer while we were there and restarted it to make sure everything came up OK.
Back at home, Terry booted up the computer and it would not recognize the modem and connect. I was making an early dinner so after we ate, I tried everything I could remember that the tech did but to no avail. An error finally included a support number and about 40 minutes with a nice guy in Salt Lake City was successful in getting everything working. I think the problem was caused by our previous air card and not everything was removed when the old software was uninstalled.
We had time for a well-earned drink before going to a dance here at the park. A new friend – Phyllis – got tickets for herself and Larry & Julie and happened to be at our table. The couple providing the music was good and played very danceable songs so we all had a great time. We walked back with Neil & Robin and ended up playing cards with them until about 11:30.
Terry took Dennis & Gloria to the airport at 8 this morning while I made a fruit salad and cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Friends Gary & Carie (from Victoria, met them in Savannah GA) are staying in Casa Grande and came to see us today. We had coffee & breakfast with them and Bill & Lauri and all caught up on each other’s news.
Even though the forecast was for showers and it was cloudy, we decided to go ahead with plans for a bike ride along the canal. Bill & Lauri turned back after a couple of miles as Lauri has not been feeling well and at the 5 mile mark where we were going to turn around, the sprinkles turned to showers so we were pretty wet when we got back to the park. We parked the bikes under cover and toured the main building. After drying out back at our rig, we made a quick trip to Hobby Lobby for a couple of items for Carie and then Ernie & Dianne joined us at Fat Willy’s for beer and appetizers. Back to the rig for a drink, loaded up the bikes and Gary & Carie left just after 8.
Dec 17th – Fri – Mesa
We played bocce ball this morning and then went to Best Buy for a new wifi “modem” to replace our air card. It is still with Verizon but can handle up to five wireless enabled devices (computers, printers, etc) and costs $35 a month rather than the $60 that we have been paying. It only allows 3 gigabytes of usage instead of the 5 gigs of the previous unit but we never used 3 gigs a month.
From there we went to the Ak Chin casino in Maricopa and played the slots until 6 when we met Gary & Carie for the seafood buffet. We had won back some of our losses before dinner so of course we had to stay and get rid of the winnings before leaving at 9.
Dec 18th – Sat – Mesa
I tried to set up the new modem this morning (over and over again) and finally Terry decided we better go back to Best Buy. We signed up at the Geek Squad desk, waited our turn and a very busy tech got us connected to the internet. We shut down the computer while we were there and restarted it to make sure everything came up OK.
Back at home, Terry booted up the computer and it would not recognize the modem and connect. I was making an early dinner so after we ate, I tried everything I could remember that the tech did but to no avail. An error finally included a support number and about 40 minutes with a nice guy in Salt Lake City was successful in getting everything working. I think the problem was caused by our previous air card and not everything was removed when the old software was uninstalled.
We had time for a well-earned drink before going to a dance here at the park. A new friend – Phyllis – got tickets for herself and Larry & Julie and happened to be at our table. The couple providing the music was good and played very danceable songs so we all had a great time. We walked back with Neil & Robin and ended up playing cards with them until about 11:30.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Dec 12th to 15th - Mesa
Dec 12th – Sun – Mesa
I figured that a trip to the gym called for cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Since I was into baking, I mixed up a couple of batches of shortbread cookies and put them in the fridge to bake later.
At 1 we picked up Dennis & Gloria and went to Filly’s in Apache Junction which is a cowboy bar in the most literal sense. People ride up on their horses, hitch them to a rail behind the outdoors bar and hit the dance floor in chaps & spurs. The very enjoyable band has a shelter next to the dance floor and play from 1 to 4 on the weekends. Three couples who camped with Bill & Lauri were also there so we made up a long table. Nearly everyone had a late lunch with pitchers of beer.
Dennis & Gloria came over to watch the last episode of The Amazing Race and to have another brownie sundae. I finished up the evening with a long phone call to sister Marg.
Dec 13th – Mon – Mesa
Shopping, bocce ball, dinner prep, dinner-E&D, D&G, G&S, Harvey
Gloria & I went shopping all morning for something “glitzy” to wear to our New Year’s Eve party. We were only looking for tops and had a heck of a time finding anything suitable – and affordable considering it is something worn only a few times. We both did end up with a purchase.
Terry & Dennis played bocce ball and then Terry noticed a short grocery list and went shopping for me. I made a late lunch and then did dinner prep and relaxed outside in front of the TV.
We had Ernie & Dianne, Dennis & Gloria, Garry & Stephane and Harvey – new acquaintance - over for dinner. Stephane had invited Harvey over for dinner at their place just before I asked them here so we told her to bring him along. We sat outside for drinks & a veggie tray and then moved inside for dinner. After dinner, the guys moved back outside and the ladies did dishes, chatted & laughed a lot. Garry is a smoker so he loves it when the group is outside.
Dec 14th – Tues – Mesa
I made it to the gym this morning but cut it short as there was a physical trainer showing a group how to use the equipment – and I was lazy! Stephane stopped by for some information, I made breakfast and then we rode to Ernie & Dianne’s so he & Terry could work on the brakes on my bike. They were at the gym so we rode around the park until they finished.
We took our ladder bike rack (that we needed to get our bikes from Missoula to Spokane) to Larry & Julie’s and attached it to the ladder on their motor home as Julie bought a trike here and really wanted to be able to take it home with her. It did work but it was a hot, sweaty job for Terry as they are backed up close to a retaining wall and he had to maneuver the trike around a sewer hose & an electric box just to get it to the back of the motor home and then wrestle it sideways to get it up on the rack. Larry & I did what we could to help but there wasn’t much room.
After Terry cleaned up, we went to listen to music & singing at a music jam and then took Ernie & Dianne to WalMart so we could use the truck to bring home bikes that they were buying. We got back in time to listen to the last half hour of Music in the Courtyard.
At 7 we went to line dance lessons. Afterwards, we were supposed to join a group playing cards but no one was in the card rooms. We went to check with Ernie & Dianne and ended up playing Arizona Rummy with them until 11:15.
Dec 15th – Wed – Mesa
We started out with bocce ball this morning. We looked at a newspaper when we were doing laundry and found a BOGO coupon for a restaurant so we went out for a late lunch and then to a grocery store. As we were driving back to our rig, Dennis & Gloria motioned to us to come back to their place for happy hour so we put away groceries and joined them and Gary & Dianne.
Since we had a large lunch, we didn’t need dinner before going to play Bunko at 6:30. Neither of us won this time.
I figured that a trip to the gym called for cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Since I was into baking, I mixed up a couple of batches of shortbread cookies and put them in the fridge to bake later.
At 1 we picked up Dennis & Gloria and went to Filly’s in Apache Junction which is a cowboy bar in the most literal sense. People ride up on their horses, hitch them to a rail behind the outdoors bar and hit the dance floor in chaps & spurs. The very enjoyable band has a shelter next to the dance floor and play from 1 to 4 on the weekends. Three couples who camped with Bill & Lauri were also there so we made up a long table. Nearly everyone had a late lunch with pitchers of beer.
Dennis & Gloria came over to watch the last episode of The Amazing Race and to have another brownie sundae. I finished up the evening with a long phone call to sister Marg.
Dec 13th – Mon – Mesa
Shopping, bocce ball, dinner prep, dinner-E&D, D&G, G&S, Harvey
Gloria & I went shopping all morning for something “glitzy” to wear to our New Year’s Eve party. We were only looking for tops and had a heck of a time finding anything suitable – and affordable considering it is something worn only a few times. We both did end up with a purchase.
Terry & Dennis played bocce ball and then Terry noticed a short grocery list and went shopping for me. I made a late lunch and then did dinner prep and relaxed outside in front of the TV.
We had Ernie & Dianne, Dennis & Gloria, Garry & Stephane and Harvey – new acquaintance - over for dinner. Stephane had invited Harvey over for dinner at their place just before I asked them here so we told her to bring him along. We sat outside for drinks & a veggie tray and then moved inside for dinner. After dinner, the guys moved back outside and the ladies did dishes, chatted & laughed a lot. Garry is a smoker so he loves it when the group is outside.
Dec 14th – Tues – Mesa
I made it to the gym this morning but cut it short as there was a physical trainer showing a group how to use the equipment – and I was lazy! Stephane stopped by for some information, I made breakfast and then we rode to Ernie & Dianne’s so he & Terry could work on the brakes on my bike. They were at the gym so we rode around the park until they finished.
We took our ladder bike rack (that we needed to get our bikes from Missoula to Spokane) to Larry & Julie’s and attached it to the ladder on their motor home as Julie bought a trike here and really wanted to be able to take it home with her. It did work but it was a hot, sweaty job for Terry as they are backed up close to a retaining wall and he had to maneuver the trike around a sewer hose & an electric box just to get it to the back of the motor home and then wrestle it sideways to get it up on the rack. Larry & I did what we could to help but there wasn’t much room.
After Terry cleaned up, we went to listen to music & singing at a music jam and then took Ernie & Dianne to WalMart so we could use the truck to bring home bikes that they were buying. We got back in time to listen to the last half hour of Music in the Courtyard.
At 7 we went to line dance lessons. Afterwards, we were supposed to join a group playing cards but no one was in the card rooms. We went to check with Ernie & Dianne and ended up playing Arizona Rummy with them until 11:15.
Dec 15th – Wed – Mesa
We started out with bocce ball this morning. We looked at a newspaper when we were doing laundry and found a BOGO coupon for a restaurant so we went out for a late lunch and then to a grocery store. As we were driving back to our rig, Dennis & Gloria motioned to us to come back to their place for happy hour so we put away groceries and joined them and Gary & Dianne.
Since we had a large lunch, we didn’t need dinner before going to play Bunko at 6:30. Neither of us won this time.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Dec 9th to 11th - Mesa
Dec 9th – Thurs – Mesa
At coffee & doughnuts this morning, the customer rep for Camping World had several raffle prizes including a 12-speed folding bicycle – and we did not win anything!
Terry has been thinking about getting a tonneau cover for the truck so he looked up some places on the internet and we went driving. A couple of the places where not even there, one was now an oil change place and the others were not establishments where we wanted to do business. We stopped at a Big Lots where I got a garlic/ginger stir fry sauce and then tried it out for a late lunch/early dinner when we got back. It is very good.
We went to Music in the Courtyard at 3 but left about 4 when the group took a break as they weren’t very good. The weather was gorgeous again today so we took a long bike ride around the park and then relaxed before going to line dance class.
Dec 10th – Fri – Mesa
We played bocce ball for a little longer than usual today. After a late breakfast, we joined Dennis & Gloria for a trip to Casino Arizona so they could get player’s cards to use for free shows in the future. Of course we all had to play the slots for a while and I was lucky to come out ahead enough to cover Terry’s losses plus $50.
We had a couple of errands to run when we got back and then had an early dinner. Terry played Texas Hold’em while I visited the puzzle room.
Dec 11th – Sat – Mesa
We walked to the post office and then stopped to visit Ernie & Dianne and Bill & Lauri on the way back. Then it was off to the courtyard for a Hamburger Fry with music by Curtis Fry. We arrived early so we got a table mostly in the shade and were able to listen to the music until nearly 1:30. Huge grills were set up for the event and the volunteers turned out a lot of hamburgers in a short time. We actually had a burger with all the trimmings, baked beans, chips, a drink and an ice cream sandwich for $5.
We went for a bike ride to work off some of our lunch and stopped to talk to Garry and then Robin. She said she was ready for a margarita so we had one with her – Neil was working. We relaxed and had artichokes before going to a dance with Dennis & Gloria. We were able to sit at the front of the table so it was easy to get to the floor for nearly every dance. Actually, I don’t think Terry missed any as he danced with Julie, her daughter Natalie and Phyllis who we met at the laundry room. Dennis had knee replacement surgery last summer and is enjoying doing things after 3 years of severely curtailed activities.
At coffee & doughnuts this morning, the customer rep for Camping World had several raffle prizes including a 12-speed folding bicycle – and we did not win anything!
Terry has been thinking about getting a tonneau cover for the truck so he looked up some places on the internet and we went driving. A couple of the places where not even there, one was now an oil change place and the others were not establishments where we wanted to do business. We stopped at a Big Lots where I got a garlic/ginger stir fry sauce and then tried it out for a late lunch/early dinner when we got back. It is very good.
We went to Music in the Courtyard at 3 but left about 4 when the group took a break as they weren’t very good. The weather was gorgeous again today so we took a long bike ride around the park and then relaxed before going to line dance class.
Dec 10th – Fri – Mesa
We played bocce ball for a little longer than usual today. After a late breakfast, we joined Dennis & Gloria for a trip to Casino Arizona so they could get player’s cards to use for free shows in the future. Of course we all had to play the slots for a while and I was lucky to come out ahead enough to cover Terry’s losses plus $50.
We had a couple of errands to run when we got back and then had an early dinner. Terry played Texas Hold’em while I visited the puzzle room.
Dec 11th – Sat – Mesa
We walked to the post office and then stopped to visit Ernie & Dianne and Bill & Lauri on the way back. Then it was off to the courtyard for a Hamburger Fry with music by Curtis Fry. We arrived early so we got a table mostly in the shade and were able to listen to the music until nearly 1:30. Huge grills were set up for the event and the volunteers turned out a lot of hamburgers in a short time. We actually had a burger with all the trimmings, baked beans, chips, a drink and an ice cream sandwich for $5.
We went for a bike ride to work off some of our lunch and stopped to talk to Garry and then Robin. She said she was ready for a margarita so we had one with her – Neil was working. We relaxed and had artichokes before going to a dance with Dennis & Gloria. We were able to sit at the front of the table so it was easy to get to the floor for nearly every dance. Actually, I don’t think Terry missed any as he danced with Julie, her daughter Natalie and Phyllis who we met at the laundry room. Dennis had knee replacement surgery last summer and is enjoying doing things after 3 years of severely curtailed activities.
Thursday, December 09, 2010
Dec 5th to 8th - Mesa
Dec 5th – Sun – Mesa
We were lazy this morning and enjoyed sleeping in and relaxing with coffee outside as the weather continues to warm back up. After doing laundry, I caught up the blog & emails while Terry rode his bike, visited with friends and went to the pool for a bit.
We watched golf on the outside TV and had an early dinner so Terry could BBQ in the daylight. Dennis & Gloria came over to watch what we thought was the finale of Amazing Race but it turned out to be the second to last show.
I spent time on the computer making a score sheet for Arizona Rummy rather than ruling lines like Dianne did the last time we played.
Dec 6th -Mon – Mesa
We went on a day trip to casinos at Prescott today. Two full buses left the park at 8:30 for the almost 2 hour drive north. We were on #1 bus with Dennis & Gloria while Garry & Stephane and Ernie & Dianne were on bus #2. The trip was very well organized with player cards ready for most people. We signed up later so we had to get ours at the player’s club which turned out OK since Terry scratched a ticket for $25 free play in addition to the $10 that everyone got. The trip included a box lunch with a sandwich, chips, cookies, an apple and a bottle of water. After lunch, we took the shuttle to the 2nd little casino. At 3:15, the bus picked up anyone who wanted to go downtown to Whiskey Row. We shopped a bit with Dennis & Gloria and then had dinner. At 6, the bus picked us up again, returned to the casino for the few who did not go downtown and then took us through the Valley of Lights which was a very impressive display of Christmas lights – but not on houses. A road was lined with rope lights and included 3 “tunnels” made with metal arches decorated with lights – holly & berries, candy canes and snowflakes. There were animated figures and a western town complete with a stagecoach and running horses.
We got home at 9 – pleasantly tired and $102 richer.
Dec 7th – Tues – Mesa
This morning we took back the wrong size baskets and got a small black table for guests seated on the couch. It is the type where the base slides under the couch so it takes up very little room. The line at Hobby Lobby to return items was ridiculous because of slow checkers so this chore took a long time. The bad news is that I do love shopping in this store.
We went to Music in the Courtyard from 3 to 5. The female singer was not very good. When we were done there, we went to Julie & Larry’s for dinner. Long time friends of Billy & Lauri – Neil & Judy – just arrived for a month so we got to meet them at dinner. We had to eat & run again in order to go to line dancing lessons. They went over dances that we have already “learned” so we got necessary practice without having to confuse our poor brains with another new dance.
On the way back, we stopped for coffee with Dennis & Gloria.
Dec 8th – Wed – Mesa
There was a large group for bocce ball this morning and the weather was perfect. I tried a Zumba exercise class which Lauri has been going to for a few weeks. It is an hour long workout to mostly Latin music & moves – fun and gets your heart rate up.
After a light lunch we went shopping – 99 cent store, Bealls Outlet, produce market & groceries. We had time to put away our purchases before getting together with 10 other people for an outing. First we went for dinner. Someone had picked Village Inn since it was “free pie Wednesday”. There was one close but Ernie & Dianne found another one that they thought was on the way to our next destination which was the zoo. After driving further from the zoo for 45 minutes (!!), they finally pulled over and we found another Village Inn just a couple of miles back towards the zoo.
The reason we were going to the zoo at night was to see the Zoolights display. Most of the zoo is decorated with lights and is well worth seeing. One stretch had several trees with different colored lights that went on & off with music – lots of “oohs & aahs” there.
We were lazy this morning and enjoyed sleeping in and relaxing with coffee outside as the weather continues to warm back up. After doing laundry, I caught up the blog & emails while Terry rode his bike, visited with friends and went to the pool for a bit.
We watched golf on the outside TV and had an early dinner so Terry could BBQ in the daylight. Dennis & Gloria came over to watch what we thought was the finale of Amazing Race but it turned out to be the second to last show.
I spent time on the computer making a score sheet for Arizona Rummy rather than ruling lines like Dianne did the last time we played.
Dec 6th -Mon – Mesa
We went on a day trip to casinos at Prescott today. Two full buses left the park at 8:30 for the almost 2 hour drive north. We were on #1 bus with Dennis & Gloria while Garry & Stephane and Ernie & Dianne were on bus #2. The trip was very well organized with player cards ready for most people. We signed up later so we had to get ours at the player’s club which turned out OK since Terry scratched a ticket for $25 free play in addition to the $10 that everyone got. The trip included a box lunch with a sandwich, chips, cookies, an apple and a bottle of water. After lunch, we took the shuttle to the 2nd little casino. At 3:15, the bus picked up anyone who wanted to go downtown to Whiskey Row. We shopped a bit with Dennis & Gloria and then had dinner. At 6, the bus picked us up again, returned to the casino for the few who did not go downtown and then took us through the Valley of Lights which was a very impressive display of Christmas lights – but not on houses. A road was lined with rope lights and included 3 “tunnels” made with metal arches decorated with lights – holly & berries, candy canes and snowflakes. There were animated figures and a western town complete with a stagecoach and running horses.
We got home at 9 – pleasantly tired and $102 richer.
Dec 7th – Tues – Mesa
This morning we took back the wrong size baskets and got a small black table for guests seated on the couch. It is the type where the base slides under the couch so it takes up very little room. The line at Hobby Lobby to return items was ridiculous because of slow checkers so this chore took a long time. The bad news is that I do love shopping in this store.
We went to Music in the Courtyard from 3 to 5. The female singer was not very good. When we were done there, we went to Julie & Larry’s for dinner. Long time friends of Billy & Lauri – Neil & Judy – just arrived for a month so we got to meet them at dinner. We had to eat & run again in order to go to line dancing lessons. They went over dances that we have already “learned” so we got necessary practice without having to confuse our poor brains with another new dance.
On the way back, we stopped for coffee with Dennis & Gloria.
Dec 8th – Wed – Mesa
There was a large group for bocce ball this morning and the weather was perfect. I tried a Zumba exercise class which Lauri has been going to for a few weeks. It is an hour long workout to mostly Latin music & moves – fun and gets your heart rate up.
After a light lunch we went shopping – 99 cent store, Bealls Outlet, produce market & groceries. We had time to put away our purchases before getting together with 10 other people for an outing. First we went for dinner. Someone had picked Village Inn since it was “free pie Wednesday”. There was one close but Ernie & Dianne found another one that they thought was on the way to our next destination which was the zoo. After driving further from the zoo for 45 minutes (!!), they finally pulled over and we found another Village Inn just a couple of miles back towards the zoo.
The reason we were going to the zoo at night was to see the Zoolights display. Most of the zoo is decorated with lights and is well worth seeing. One stretch had several trees with different colored lights that went on & off with music – lots of “oohs & aahs” there.
Sunday, December 05, 2010
Dec 2nd to 4th - Mesa
Dec 2nd – Thurs – Mesa
We attended the usual coffee & doughnuts at 8:00 and then visited with friends to pretty much use up the rest of the morning. I spent time on the computer trying to figure out Avery Wizard to make business cards and then made us a late lunch.
About 4, Ernie & Dianne and Garry & Stephane came over so I could make business/personal cards for them. I took pictures of both couples to put on the cards and the whole process took longer than I expected. Just as we were finishing, the guys decided that we should get pizza delivered but we all piled in the truck and went to CiCi’s pizza buffet instead.
We were going to play Wii when we returned but ended up sitting & chatting for a couple of hours at Ernie & Dianne’s place instead. Ernie & Dianne and Garry & Stephane are from B.C. They all lived in Dawson Creek but Ernie & Dianne have recently moved to Kelowna.
Dec 3rd – Fri – Mesa
I went to the gym and then we joined the bocce ball group which we are really enjoying. A game with evenly matched players can take nearly an hour.
We went out for lunch and made a trip to Costco. At 4, we joined a large group to sit on a vacant lot and watch the Christmas parade in the park. The parade did not start until 4:30 so we had time to have a drink and be rowdy. We were near the start of the parade route, so after it went by we moved to Ernie & Dianne’s place and watched it again right at the end of the route. We proceeded directly from there to dinner & entertainment in the ballroom. Dinner was stew in a bread bowl & cake for dessert and the entertainment was the Valley Christian Bell Ringers. They were good but the program was too long for nearly everyone.
Dec 4th – Sat – Mesa
We went to the courtyard for breakfast this morning and then wandered through the Christmas Boutique without buying anything. Dennis & Gloria and Gary & Dianne were nearly ready to go for a bike ride that we had planned so we had to hurry up to join them. We rode about 10 miles altogether and stopped for lunch on the way back. We rode along an irrigation canal rather than on streets so it was very quiet & peaceful most of the time.
Our new ice maker did not seem to be working as well as the old one so we took it back and exchanged it. We also browsed through Hobby Lobby (love that store!) and got a couple of items including 2 baskets that are too big for their intended spot.
After dinner, we joined Dennis & Gloria, Ernie & Dianne and Garry & Stephane to learn a new card game called Arizona Rummy. We played from 7 to 10 in the community center and it was really fun even though I got really bad cards for a majority of the hands.
We attended the usual coffee & doughnuts at 8:00 and then visited with friends to pretty much use up the rest of the morning. I spent time on the computer trying to figure out Avery Wizard to make business cards and then made us a late lunch.
About 4, Ernie & Dianne and Garry & Stephane came over so I could make business/personal cards for them. I took pictures of both couples to put on the cards and the whole process took longer than I expected. Just as we were finishing, the guys decided that we should get pizza delivered but we all piled in the truck and went to CiCi’s pizza buffet instead.
We were going to play Wii when we returned but ended up sitting & chatting for a couple of hours at Ernie & Dianne’s place instead. Ernie & Dianne and Garry & Stephane are from B.C. They all lived in Dawson Creek but Ernie & Dianne have recently moved to Kelowna.
Dec 3rd – Fri – Mesa
I went to the gym and then we joined the bocce ball group which we are really enjoying. A game with evenly matched players can take nearly an hour.
We went out for lunch and made a trip to Costco. At 4, we joined a large group to sit on a vacant lot and watch the Christmas parade in the park. The parade did not start until 4:30 so we had time to have a drink and be rowdy. We were near the start of the parade route, so after it went by we moved to Ernie & Dianne’s place and watched it again right at the end of the route. We proceeded directly from there to dinner & entertainment in the ballroom. Dinner was stew in a bread bowl & cake for dessert and the entertainment was the Valley Christian Bell Ringers. They were good but the program was too long for nearly everyone.
Dec 4th – Sat – Mesa
We went to the courtyard for breakfast this morning and then wandered through the Christmas Boutique without buying anything. Dennis & Gloria and Gary & Dianne were nearly ready to go for a bike ride that we had planned so we had to hurry up to join them. We rode about 10 miles altogether and stopped for lunch on the way back. We rode along an irrigation canal rather than on streets so it was very quiet & peaceful most of the time.
Our new ice maker did not seem to be working as well as the old one so we took it back and exchanged it. We also browsed through Hobby Lobby (love that store!) and got a couple of items including 2 baskets that are too big for their intended spot.
After dinner, we joined Dennis & Gloria, Ernie & Dianne and Garry & Stephane to learn a new card game called Arizona Rummy. We played from 7 to 10 in the community center and it was really fun even though I got really bad cards for a majority of the hands.
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Nov 29th to Dec 1st - Mesa
Nov 29th – Mon – Mesa
We wimped out of the bike ride this morning as it was too cold and Terry never did look at his front tire as it didn’t go flat again after pumping it up the second time last Monday.
Rather than going to the gym, I went back to help with the park decorating. This time I worked inside, a lot of the time with Gloria. We had to “fluff” the wreaths & garlands that were stored – make that stuffed - in boxes. Then I helped another lady hang wreaths. I offered to climb the ladder but since she was only 72 years old she said she could do it – and I didn’t really want to put nails in the walls. We even got lunch from McDonalds.
Terry came by later and heard that garlands needed to be taken to the sales office so he got the truck, we loaded the garlands and 3 other helpers and made short work of decorating the railings. There was pizza at 4 for all volunteers who helped decorate so we decided that we just had time for a drink with Dennis & Gloria at our place first. Gary & Diane also joined us and we ended up not going for pizza since we had lunch about 1 and another drink sounded like a better idea. We had all moved inside when Ernie & Diane came by with a bottle of Scotch to thank Terry for moving their TV & cabinet. Of course, they had to stay for a drink too.
Nov 30th – Tues – Mesa
I was glad that we skipped the bike ride yesterday when my hands were freezing riding my bike the short distance to the gym this morning. Our wonderful, necessary ice maker died yesterday. Terry tore it apart and found a cracked plastic part that would not stay glued so off we went to a Target store to get a new one. It seems as if the largest cubes are not as large as the old ones (same brand) so it may have to be exchanged.
We went to the courtyard to listen to music, came back for dinner and then went to line dancing lessons.
Dec 1st – Wed – Mesa
I got up early this morning to line up to get tickets for the New Year’s Eve party and 2 dances this month. I think I mentioned before that the ballroom is small and tables are assigned for dances so to guarantee a group together at a table, you have to get tickets early when they go on sale the first work day of the month. Terry got a dozen doughnuts, joined me a bit later and shared the doughnuts with others in line. The activity director had a little drawing for people in line and Terry won one ticket for a pancake breakfast this month. Guess I will have to buy my own!
We played bocce ball at 10. Terry, I, Ernie & Diane were on one court so Ernie & I played Terry & Diane and we lost both games. But who cares as the sun was out & it was warm again! After lunch, we went to Big Lots for a few garlands to decorate our home.
Then it was off to the courtyard for more music from 2 to 4. This time, the singer was a woman – April Walker – and she was really good.
From there, Terry & I, Ernie & Diane and Dennis & Gloria went to Fat Willy’s for their happy hour specials – beer & appetizers which were our dinner. We figured this was a good idea as we were all playing bunko at 6:15 so we had to eat early. We just had time to see Ernie & Diane’s park model before reporting to the card room.
There were 19 people at bunko so we had to play with a “ghost” player (the ghost’s partner rolls twice). It costs $5 each to play. Terry split most bunkos to win $16 and I got most losses (!!) which paid $8. Another fun, busy day!
We wimped out of the bike ride this morning as it was too cold and Terry never did look at his front tire as it didn’t go flat again after pumping it up the second time last Monday.
Rather than going to the gym, I went back to help with the park decorating. This time I worked inside, a lot of the time with Gloria. We had to “fluff” the wreaths & garlands that were stored – make that stuffed - in boxes. Then I helped another lady hang wreaths. I offered to climb the ladder but since she was only 72 years old she said she could do it – and I didn’t really want to put nails in the walls. We even got lunch from McDonalds.
Terry came by later and heard that garlands needed to be taken to the sales office so he got the truck, we loaded the garlands and 3 other helpers and made short work of decorating the railings. There was pizza at 4 for all volunteers who helped decorate so we decided that we just had time for a drink with Dennis & Gloria at our place first. Gary & Diane also joined us and we ended up not going for pizza since we had lunch about 1 and another drink sounded like a better idea. We had all moved inside when Ernie & Diane came by with a bottle of Scotch to thank Terry for moving their TV & cabinet. Of course, they had to stay for a drink too.
Nov 30th – Tues – Mesa
I was glad that we skipped the bike ride yesterday when my hands were freezing riding my bike the short distance to the gym this morning. Our wonderful, necessary ice maker died yesterday. Terry tore it apart and found a cracked plastic part that would not stay glued so off we went to a Target store to get a new one. It seems as if the largest cubes are not as large as the old ones (same brand) so it may have to be exchanged.
We went to the courtyard to listen to music, came back for dinner and then went to line dancing lessons.
Dec 1st – Wed – Mesa
I got up early this morning to line up to get tickets for the New Year’s Eve party and 2 dances this month. I think I mentioned before that the ballroom is small and tables are assigned for dances so to guarantee a group together at a table, you have to get tickets early when they go on sale the first work day of the month. Terry got a dozen doughnuts, joined me a bit later and shared the doughnuts with others in line. The activity director had a little drawing for people in line and Terry won one ticket for a pancake breakfast this month. Guess I will have to buy my own!
We played bocce ball at 10. Terry, I, Ernie & Diane were on one court so Ernie & I played Terry & Diane and we lost both games. But who cares as the sun was out & it was warm again! After lunch, we went to Big Lots for a few garlands to decorate our home.
Then it was off to the courtyard for more music from 2 to 4. This time, the singer was a woman – April Walker – and she was really good.
From there, Terry & I, Ernie & Diane and Dennis & Gloria went to Fat Willy’s for their happy hour specials – beer & appetizers which were our dinner. We figured this was a good idea as we were all playing bunko at 6:15 so we had to eat early. We just had time to see Ernie & Diane’s park model before reporting to the card room.
There were 19 people at bunko so we had to play with a “ghost” player (the ghost’s partner rolls twice). It costs $5 each to play. Terry split most bunkos to win $16 and I got most losses (!!) which paid $8. Another fun, busy day!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Nov 26th to 28th - Mesa
Nov 26th – Fri – Mesa
We did NOT hit any Black Friday early sales this morning. Mid morning we headed out to get coffee for our new Keurig coffee maker and stopped for breakfast on the way to Costco. Once there, we saw a demo of a coffee maker with more features than ours, with a filter for your own coffee included and with 60 coffee K-cups included so we decided that we would return the one we bought since we hadn’t used it yet and get the one from Costco. Of course, we came back to return one first to make sure there was no problem and then returned to Costco for the new one. Good thing these stores are not too far from our park and the traffic & shopping hordes were very light.
Dennis & Gloria were sitting out with Gary & Diane so we took a beer over and joined them until we looked at a clock and decided we better get home and start setting up for dinner. Yesterday I suggested that our group get together at our place for a Thanksgiving leftovers dinner. We brought in a square table & 4 chairs from outside so we could eat inside as it is just too cool to eat out once the sun goes down. We heated everything in the microwave and had another wonderful meal.
At 8:35, Robin called to see if we wanted to play cards but we had to admit that we were already in bed watching TV!
Nov 27th – Sat – Mesa
I finally got back to the gym this morning but a little later than previously because I just don’t like to get up when it is cold. After cooling down with iced coffee and hitting the shower, I had some breakfast and then went to the ballroom to help put up Christmas decorations in the park. Terry opted to play computer games!
As I was making some turkey sandwiches for lunch, Robin came by to ask if I wanted to go shopping for decorations for her motor home. While I did that, Terry cleaned up the truck inside & out. When we returned, Robin & I found some citrus trees in the park that were on unoccupied lots and took an orange & a grapefruit each to test for ripeness. They don’t look completely ripe but are very good.
At 3:30 we went to Larry & Julie’s for a steak dinner that Tina was making for us all. We ate early so it was still fairly warm out and then all headed home as it quickly cooled down.
Nov 28th – Sun – Mesa
It was very cool this morning but I finally dragged myself to the gym. Then I was really bad and made cinnamon rolls for breakfast – they were yummy!! It was really dark & cloudy but I decided to help with decorating again. On the way, I stopped to see Lauri and then stayed to chat a bit as a rain shower passed over. After another stop to visit with Robin & Neil, I finally made it to the ballroom and started hanging lights outside with a guy that we met a week or so ago. A couple more rain showers didn’t get us too wet. We were just finishing up when Terry came to find me. He had helped someone move a TV and a cabinet that would not fit in their car.
We made a quick trip to the grocery store, prepared hamburger “trimmings” and went to Bill & Lauri’s for dinner. Guests of honor were a couple that stayed in the same park as them last year and who we met in Quartzsite. They recently arrived to stay in Apache Junction for the winter. Once again, we had an early dinner but even so we had to get cozy inside to eat. The wind kept blowing out the flame on the barbeque and Bill was an icicle by the time the burgers were done. Oh well, all we have to do to cheer up about the weather is watch the snow reports from elsewhere in the country – like Spokane!
We did NOT hit any Black Friday early sales this morning. Mid morning we headed out to get coffee for our new Keurig coffee maker and stopped for breakfast on the way to Costco. Once there, we saw a demo of a coffee maker with more features than ours, with a filter for your own coffee included and with 60 coffee K-cups included so we decided that we would return the one we bought since we hadn’t used it yet and get the one from Costco. Of course, we came back to return one first to make sure there was no problem and then returned to Costco for the new one. Good thing these stores are not too far from our park and the traffic & shopping hordes were very light.
Dennis & Gloria were sitting out with Gary & Diane so we took a beer over and joined them until we looked at a clock and decided we better get home and start setting up for dinner. Yesterday I suggested that our group get together at our place for a Thanksgiving leftovers dinner. We brought in a square table & 4 chairs from outside so we could eat inside as it is just too cool to eat out once the sun goes down. We heated everything in the microwave and had another wonderful meal.
At 8:35, Robin called to see if we wanted to play cards but we had to admit that we were already in bed watching TV!
Nov 27th – Sat – Mesa
I finally got back to the gym this morning but a little later than previously because I just don’t like to get up when it is cold. After cooling down with iced coffee and hitting the shower, I had some breakfast and then went to the ballroom to help put up Christmas decorations in the park. Terry opted to play computer games!
As I was making some turkey sandwiches for lunch, Robin came by to ask if I wanted to go shopping for decorations for her motor home. While I did that, Terry cleaned up the truck inside & out. When we returned, Robin & I found some citrus trees in the park that were on unoccupied lots and took an orange & a grapefruit each to test for ripeness. They don’t look completely ripe but are very good.
At 3:30 we went to Larry & Julie’s for a steak dinner that Tina was making for us all. We ate early so it was still fairly warm out and then all headed home as it quickly cooled down.
Nov 28th – Sun – Mesa
It was very cool this morning but I finally dragged myself to the gym. Then I was really bad and made cinnamon rolls for breakfast – they were yummy!! It was really dark & cloudy but I decided to help with decorating again. On the way, I stopped to see Lauri and then stayed to chat a bit as a rain shower passed over. After another stop to visit with Robin & Neil, I finally made it to the ballroom and started hanging lights outside with a guy that we met a week or so ago. A couple more rain showers didn’t get us too wet. We were just finishing up when Terry came to find me. He had helped someone move a TV and a cabinet that would not fit in their car.
We made a quick trip to the grocery store, prepared hamburger “trimmings” and went to Bill & Lauri’s for dinner. Guests of honor were a couple that stayed in the same park as them last year and who we met in Quartzsite. They recently arrived to stay in Apache Junction for the winter. Once again, we had an early dinner but even so we had to get cozy inside to eat. The wind kept blowing out the flame on the barbeque and Bill was an icicle by the time the burgers were done. Oh well, all we have to do to cheer up about the weather is watch the snow reports from elsewhere in the country – like Spokane!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Nov 21st to 25th - Mesa
Nov 21st – Sun – Mesa
We tried a “play & eat” special at Sunland Village GC with Neil & Robin. For $25 a person, you get breakfast or lunch, 18 hole green fee and a cart. After we arrived shortly after 11 and checked in at the pro shop, the restaurant was very full – not with golfers but with people living or staying in the Sunland Village RV park. Our server didn’t know anything about the special but eventually Terry & I ordered breakfast and Neil & Robin ordered a burger & a sandwich to go since they had eaten breakfast this morning and you couldn’t order lunch before 12! The rain clouds were threatening as we waited for their lunches and it was sprinkling as we set out. By the time we got on the first green, it was pouring so we left our balls on the green and sheltered under a tree in our carts while it passed over. We continued to get showers on & off for a lot of the game but it wasn’t too cold. It is a short course with a par of 62 and plays between houses which Terry just loves!
I barely had time to get my hair back into shape before Bill & Lauri picked us up to go to the Organ Stop Pizza with Larry & Julie and Terry & Tina. Tina was blown away by the pipe organ as she plays several instruments and appreciates talent & music.
Nov 22nd – Mon – Mesa
There were 21 people on the bike ride this morning. Terry had to pump up his front tire before we left and hoped it would be OK. We rode 9 miles to the Sunland Village Golf Course where we ate & played yesterday. One very efficient waitress looked after the entire group at one large table and did a good job. Terry’s tire was quite flat when we got to the restaurant so he borrowed Dennis’ air pump. As usual, we took a more direct route back and ended up riding a total of just over 12 miles. Terry’s tire was just fine when we got back.
We visited with neighbors for a while which required moving in & out of the sun to keep warm & cool enough. I worked on the computer while Terry made several trips to a nearby RV dealer trying to find out why the remote control for the 5th wheel is not working. After 4 trips, the remote got a new battery, was reprogrammed and now works.
We had an early dinner of steak on the BBQ and a lazy evening.
Nov 23rd – Tues – Mesa
We picked up Neil & Robin at 11 to go golfing at Kokopelli GC. We planned on eating lunch first and stopped at 5 Guys for a hamburger. We have not eaten in this chain previously but Neil said they make a good hamburger and great fries – today from Idaho potatoes. The hamburger was good but Neil & Terry’s doubles were pretty greasy.
The weather was cool but the guys wore short sleeves and I went back & forth with a light jacket. The golf course is very pretty with a lot of mounds in the fairways. The carts have GPS systems which is nice on a new course. We all did fairly well on the front nine – actually, I did really well for me and got the lowest score. Too bad I fell apart on the back nine! Oh well, we had a good time and finished in 4 hours.
We were going to stop for a drink with Neil & Robin until we remembered that we had line dancing so had to go home to make dinner first. Robin also came to the line dancing class where we reviewed 2 dances and learned a new one.
Nov 24th – Wed – Mesa
The Thanksgiving dinner here this year is a friendship dinner where you sign up for a table and everyone brings part of the meal. The park sets up big round tables that seat 8 and provides a raw turkey for each table. There is a white tablecloth and a small table nearby to place food. Since our group includes Terry & Tina right now, we filled a table.
We picked up the turkey for our table for tomorrow’s dinner. We also borrowed an electric roaster as our ovens are a bit small. Turns out my oven would have been big enough as the turkey for 8 people was only 10 ½ pounds. Terry decided it was much too small and would not provide leftovers. We had to pick up a few items at the grocery store anyhow so we looked for a turkey breast to augment the small turkey. A turkey breast was $15 and we could get a 20 lb turkey (smallest available) for $5.80 so you can guess what we bought. Of course the next obstacle was to get it thawed by tomorrow morning. We took a large storage box, filled it with cold water, put the turkey in and crossed our fingers.
At 3, we went next door to Dennis & Gloria’s to celebrate Dennis & Bill’s birthdays – both which are today. There was a large circle of guests, 22 in all I think, so we met quite a few new people. There were 2 tables of snacky foods, we brought out our buddy burner after some of the people had left and had a good time.
We changed the water on the turkey, watched TV, had dinner and Terry fell asleep. I brought in the turkey and put it in water in the sink and we went to bed.
Nov 25th – HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
We both were wide awake at 1 and I was worried that the turkey would not be thawed and would take too long to cook based on the “20 minutes per pound” estimate. After a bit, I decided to clean the turkey and put it in the roaster so I wouldn’t have to worry about it not being done. After it cooked a bit, I checked and turned the heat down to 250 as it was cooking quite well. Of course, all this activity really woke us up so Terry watched TV for a while and I finally quit reading about 4:30 but still couldn’t go to sleep for a long time. At 7:30, I checked the turkey and it was severely overcooked. I had placed the breast down and it looked like it exploded with leg & wing bones exposed. I lifted it out in pieces and then put in the small turkey as it was totally thawed.
We went to the ballroom to set & decorate our table about 10. One table had so much stuff on it that there was no room for food. I was doing gravy and stuffing in addition to the turkey so had it easy – except for cleaning the roaster.
At 1, Bill & Lauri stopped by in their car so we didn’t have to carry all our food & wine and we even got a parking spot near the ballroom. All the food was wonderful and we all maintained the Thanksgiving tradition and ate too much including a choice of pumpkin or apple pie. We used my plates & wine glasses so I brought home some other dishes that needed washing as well, got them all cleaned up and crashed on the couch to read.
Right now (6:23) I can’t imagine wanting any dinner but who knows!
We tried a “play & eat” special at Sunland Village GC with Neil & Robin. For $25 a person, you get breakfast or lunch, 18 hole green fee and a cart. After we arrived shortly after 11 and checked in at the pro shop, the restaurant was very full – not with golfers but with people living or staying in the Sunland Village RV park. Our server didn’t know anything about the special but eventually Terry & I ordered breakfast and Neil & Robin ordered a burger & a sandwich to go since they had eaten breakfast this morning and you couldn’t order lunch before 12! The rain clouds were threatening as we waited for their lunches and it was sprinkling as we set out. By the time we got on the first green, it was pouring so we left our balls on the green and sheltered under a tree in our carts while it passed over. We continued to get showers on & off for a lot of the game but it wasn’t too cold. It is a short course with a par of 62 and plays between houses which Terry just loves!
I barely had time to get my hair back into shape before Bill & Lauri picked us up to go to the Organ Stop Pizza with Larry & Julie and Terry & Tina. Tina was blown away by the pipe organ as she plays several instruments and appreciates talent & music.
Nov 22nd – Mon – Mesa
There were 21 people on the bike ride this morning. Terry had to pump up his front tire before we left and hoped it would be OK. We rode 9 miles to the Sunland Village Golf Course where we ate & played yesterday. One very efficient waitress looked after the entire group at one large table and did a good job. Terry’s tire was quite flat when we got to the restaurant so he borrowed Dennis’ air pump. As usual, we took a more direct route back and ended up riding a total of just over 12 miles. Terry’s tire was just fine when we got back.
We visited with neighbors for a while which required moving in & out of the sun to keep warm & cool enough. I worked on the computer while Terry made several trips to a nearby RV dealer trying to find out why the remote control for the 5th wheel is not working. After 4 trips, the remote got a new battery, was reprogrammed and now works.
We had an early dinner of steak on the BBQ and a lazy evening.
Nov 23rd – Tues – Mesa
We picked up Neil & Robin at 11 to go golfing at Kokopelli GC. We planned on eating lunch first and stopped at 5 Guys for a hamburger. We have not eaten in this chain previously but Neil said they make a good hamburger and great fries – today from Idaho potatoes. The hamburger was good but Neil & Terry’s doubles were pretty greasy.
The weather was cool but the guys wore short sleeves and I went back & forth with a light jacket. The golf course is very pretty with a lot of mounds in the fairways. The carts have GPS systems which is nice on a new course. We all did fairly well on the front nine – actually, I did really well for me and got the lowest score. Too bad I fell apart on the back nine! Oh well, we had a good time and finished in 4 hours.
We were going to stop for a drink with Neil & Robin until we remembered that we had line dancing so had to go home to make dinner first. Robin also came to the line dancing class where we reviewed 2 dances and learned a new one.
Nov 24th – Wed – Mesa
The Thanksgiving dinner here this year is a friendship dinner where you sign up for a table and everyone brings part of the meal. The park sets up big round tables that seat 8 and provides a raw turkey for each table. There is a white tablecloth and a small table nearby to place food. Since our group includes Terry & Tina right now, we filled a table.
We picked up the turkey for our table for tomorrow’s dinner. We also borrowed an electric roaster as our ovens are a bit small. Turns out my oven would have been big enough as the turkey for 8 people was only 10 ½ pounds. Terry decided it was much too small and would not provide leftovers. We had to pick up a few items at the grocery store anyhow so we looked for a turkey breast to augment the small turkey. A turkey breast was $15 and we could get a 20 lb turkey (smallest available) for $5.80 so you can guess what we bought. Of course the next obstacle was to get it thawed by tomorrow morning. We took a large storage box, filled it with cold water, put the turkey in and crossed our fingers.
At 3, we went next door to Dennis & Gloria’s to celebrate Dennis & Bill’s birthdays – both which are today. There was a large circle of guests, 22 in all I think, so we met quite a few new people. There were 2 tables of snacky foods, we brought out our buddy burner after some of the people had left and had a good time.
We changed the water on the turkey, watched TV, had dinner and Terry fell asleep. I brought in the turkey and put it in water in the sink and we went to bed.
Nov 25th – HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
We both were wide awake at 1 and I was worried that the turkey would not be thawed and would take too long to cook based on the “20 minutes per pound” estimate. After a bit, I decided to clean the turkey and put it in the roaster so I wouldn’t have to worry about it not being done. After it cooked a bit, I checked and turned the heat down to 250 as it was cooking quite well. Of course, all this activity really woke us up so Terry watched TV for a while and I finally quit reading about 4:30 but still couldn’t go to sleep for a long time. At 7:30, I checked the turkey and it was severely overcooked. I had placed the breast down and it looked like it exploded with leg & wing bones exposed. I lifted it out in pieces and then put in the small turkey as it was totally thawed.
We went to the ballroom to set & decorate our table about 10. One table had so much stuff on it that there was no room for food. I was doing gravy and stuffing in addition to the turkey so had it easy – except for cleaning the roaster.
At 1, Bill & Lauri stopped by in their car so we didn’t have to carry all our food & wine and we even got a parking spot near the ballroom. All the food was wonderful and we all maintained the Thanksgiving tradition and ate too much including a choice of pumpkin or apple pie. We used my plates & wine glasses so I brought home some other dishes that needed washing as well, got them all cleaned up and crashed on the couch to read.
Right now (6:23) I can’t imagine wanting any dinner but who knows!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Nov 16th to 20th - Mesa
Nov 16th – Tues – Mesa
I was too lazy to go to the gym this morning. At 9, I got a haircut at the salon here in the park and was riding my bike back when Terry came looking for me to say that Claude & Val were ready to leave. They are going to Yuma for a bit so they can go to the dentist in Algodones and then they will go to Mexico.
After breakfast, we did a bit of shopping – Costco, Walmart & a Chev dealer for diesel exhaust fluid as our warning system says we have 800 miles to go and Terry definitely does not want to wait until the last minute and be looking for the stuff when we are towing the 5th wheel somewhere.
Friends (Gary & Diane) of Dennis & Gloria arrived today so they asked us over to meet them and have a beer. After dinner we went to advanced (!) line dancing lessons. We learned – or tried to learn – three dances which was one too many. I was doing OK with the first 2.
Nov 17th – Wed – Mesa
I finally got back to the gym this morning and then to water exercises which have been changed to 10 o’clock due to another scheduled group using the pool at 9 a couple days a week. It is actually nice to go later when the weather cools down at night so it isn’t so cold when you get out of the pool – but it sure takes up the whole morning.
Terry wanted to go for a drive somewhere so once I was ready, we went to IHop for a late breakfast and then to a store called Total Wine that Dennis & Gloria told us about. It is a huge wine & liquor store in SanTan Village which is an enormous shopping center. It is like a small village with smaller stores lining streets and pedestrian malls and bigger stores on the outer edges. We went to a couple of other stores and then to the Lone Butte casino which ate our reduced allowance pretty quickly.
Shortly after we returned, we packed up our happy hour bag and went to an afternoon dance from 4 to 6 that is called a Watering Hole. A couple named “Road Runner” played rock ‘n roll music from different eras – very easy to listen to but we didn’t dance as much as usual. We both did one line dance and then I joined in the tail end of a second when the instructor saw me and said to get up there. Dinner & TV finished the day.
Nov 18th – Thurs – Mesa
I woke too late to go to the gym before coffee & doughnuts but I did go to water exercises after the meeting. I worked on the computer and did some housecleaning while Terry went to WalMart to return an item and get some rear, blinking lights for our bikes.
We joined Dennis & Gloria at “Music in the Courtyard” from 3 to 5.
After dinner, we went to beginners’ line dance lessons. They always start with the Electric Slide for 15 minutes and then did Waltz Across Texas again. They are trying to get a group together to do that dance in the Christmas parade in the park on Dec 3rd.
Nov 19th – Fri – Mesa
I made it to the gym today but skipped water exercises as we went to play (learn) bocce ball. There are artificial grass playing courts that have a lip on the edges so you can bank the balls. It is a very different game from what we have played on bumpy “cow pastures” at RV parks.
We went for a drive and browsed through my favorite Big Lots and then Kmart. We stopped at Home Depot to get some glue for our “bargain” patio chairs as I am afraid someone will crash if a cracked leg gives way. I worked on the chairs later and it looks like it will hold.
Terry played Texas Hold ‘Em this evening and I finished a puzzle in the puzzle room.
Nov 20th – Sat – Mesa
We spent the whole morning riding our bikes around the park to check out the patio sales as this was the day they were originally meant to be before the newspaper messed up the ad. It took us a while as we kept seeing people that we knew either having sales or crisscrossing our path going to sales. Terry bought 4 better looking plastic patio chairs for $1 each and gave my newly glued chairs to Larry & Julie.
Then we went to some grocery stores – the first for groceries, the second for some chicken for lunch and the third for jicima (sp?) that was awful at the first 2 stores. After lunch we went to see Neil & Robin to set up a tee time. We ended up staying for a strawberry daiquiri. Next it was over to Larry & Julie’s for HH & dinner. Their friends Terry & Tina arrived today for a week’s visit. We had to eat & run as we had tickets for a dance here in the park. We were pretty much done-in by the time the dance ended at 10.
I was too lazy to go to the gym this morning. At 9, I got a haircut at the salon here in the park and was riding my bike back when Terry came looking for me to say that Claude & Val were ready to leave. They are going to Yuma for a bit so they can go to the dentist in Algodones and then they will go to Mexico.
After breakfast, we did a bit of shopping – Costco, Walmart & a Chev dealer for diesel exhaust fluid as our warning system says we have 800 miles to go and Terry definitely does not want to wait until the last minute and be looking for the stuff when we are towing the 5th wheel somewhere.
Friends (Gary & Diane) of Dennis & Gloria arrived today so they asked us over to meet them and have a beer. After dinner we went to advanced (!) line dancing lessons. We learned – or tried to learn – three dances which was one too many. I was doing OK with the first 2.
Nov 17th – Wed – Mesa
I finally got back to the gym this morning and then to water exercises which have been changed to 10 o’clock due to another scheduled group using the pool at 9 a couple days a week. It is actually nice to go later when the weather cools down at night so it isn’t so cold when you get out of the pool – but it sure takes up the whole morning.
Terry wanted to go for a drive somewhere so once I was ready, we went to IHop for a late breakfast and then to a store called Total Wine that Dennis & Gloria told us about. It is a huge wine & liquor store in SanTan Village which is an enormous shopping center. It is like a small village with smaller stores lining streets and pedestrian malls and bigger stores on the outer edges. We went to a couple of other stores and then to the Lone Butte casino which ate our reduced allowance pretty quickly.
Shortly after we returned, we packed up our happy hour bag and went to an afternoon dance from 4 to 6 that is called a Watering Hole. A couple named “Road Runner” played rock ‘n roll music from different eras – very easy to listen to but we didn’t dance as much as usual. We both did one line dance and then I joined in the tail end of a second when the instructor saw me and said to get up there. Dinner & TV finished the day.
Nov 18th – Thurs – Mesa
I woke too late to go to the gym before coffee & doughnuts but I did go to water exercises after the meeting. I worked on the computer and did some housecleaning while Terry went to WalMart to return an item and get some rear, blinking lights for our bikes.
We joined Dennis & Gloria at “Music in the Courtyard” from 3 to 5.
After dinner, we went to beginners’ line dance lessons. They always start with the Electric Slide for 15 minutes and then did Waltz Across Texas again. They are trying to get a group together to do that dance in the Christmas parade in the park on Dec 3rd.
Nov 19th – Fri – Mesa
I made it to the gym today but skipped water exercises as we went to play (learn) bocce ball. There are artificial grass playing courts that have a lip on the edges so you can bank the balls. It is a very different game from what we have played on bumpy “cow pastures” at RV parks.
We went for a drive and browsed through my favorite Big Lots and then Kmart. We stopped at Home Depot to get some glue for our “bargain” patio chairs as I am afraid someone will crash if a cracked leg gives way. I worked on the chairs later and it looks like it will hold.
Terry played Texas Hold ‘Em this evening and I finished a puzzle in the puzzle room.
Nov 20th – Sat – Mesa
We spent the whole morning riding our bikes around the park to check out the patio sales as this was the day they were originally meant to be before the newspaper messed up the ad. It took us a while as we kept seeing people that we knew either having sales or crisscrossing our path going to sales. Terry bought 4 better looking plastic patio chairs for $1 each and gave my newly glued chairs to Larry & Julie.
Then we went to some grocery stores – the first for groceries, the second for some chicken for lunch and the third for jicima (sp?) that was awful at the first 2 stores. After lunch we went to see Neil & Robin to set up a tee time. We ended up staying for a strawberry daiquiri. Next it was over to Larry & Julie’s for HH & dinner. Their friends Terry & Tina arrived today for a week’s visit. We had to eat & run as we had tickets for a dance here in the park. We were pretty much done-in by the time the dance ended at 10.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Nov 13th to 15th - Mesa
Nov 13th – Sat – Mesa
The park was supposed to have a patio sale – individual “yard” sales at participating sites – next Saturday but the newspaper messed up the ad and used today’s date so we had to dig out some excess stuff and take it to Bill & Lauri’s site for the sale which began at 7:30. Then we helped Lauri as Bill was at a shooting match. We sold a few items, Lauri cleared out some stuff and Julie sold the bicycle that she bought for herself at a garage sale. We packed up the remains about 1.
When we were printing discount breakfast coupons on Friday morning, the wireless mouse on our computer quit so Terry replaced the battery which did not help. We had no time to mess with it then so I worked on it today. When I tried to go to the internet to find information, I discovered that our air card was also not working – all the USB ports were disabled. I was able to get to the internet using the park wifi, ran a Microsoft fix-it program and the air card started working. Then after another restart, the mouse was working. I still don’t know what happened and what fixed it.
While I was working on the computer and then the blog, Terry was playing cards with Lauri, Neil and Robin. I checked with them and then came home to enjoy some quiet time with a book.
Val invited us over for dinner and then we and Claude & Val went to a dance here at the park. Unfortunately, we were not able to get seats at the same table but we each met nice table-mates and had fun.
Nov 14th – Sun – Mesa
Terry made a run for doughnuts & a bagel for me to start the day with a nutritious breakfast! Then it was time to do laundry. A washer quit on us again but we caught it sooner than last week. We put everything away, made the bed and went shopping at Camping World to spend the money on our gift card.
We were trying to decide where to have lunch when I realized that it was close to happy hour (2 to 7) at Fat Willy’s. There were lots of people there watching ball games so we ate outside.
Just after we had a sandwich for dinner, Claude came over to see if we wanted to play cards so we ended up playing a couple of games of Wizard while sort of keeping an eye on Survivor on TV.
Nov 15th – Mon – Mesa
Claude & Val joined us on the weekly bike ride this morning at 8. We rode to Ben Johnson’s on Main for breakfast. There were 24 in the group today but there was lots of seating and a server for each of 3 large tables so we got breakfast in a timely fashion. We rode just over 11 miles total today and got back at 11. Terry went with Claude to get safety vests like the ones that we got from the bike ride leader. We don’t know where he gets them but he provides them for free to any bike rider who wants one.
Claude took their 5th wheel to Camping World to have a fan installed, Val went to the library & puzzle room and Terry & I went to the grocery store to get food for a party tonight. It started as dinner for Claude & Val since they are leaving tomorrow and mushroomed a bit – 14 for dinner & 2 more later. I did some dinner prep and then joined Val at the puzzle for a while until she went to get her hair cut.
At 4, our guests started arriving to eat, drink and be merry. We kept expanding the circle of chairs and even moved our truck next door to provide more room. Some guests had too much fun and we found that Wine Away works quite well on spilled red wine. We watched the last part of DWTS and played a game where one person gives clues to a word or phrase on an electronic, beeping gizmo. Lots of fun & laughter!
Since we started early, everyone was gone and the few dishes were done by 9.
The park was supposed to have a patio sale – individual “yard” sales at participating sites – next Saturday but the newspaper messed up the ad and used today’s date so we had to dig out some excess stuff and take it to Bill & Lauri’s site for the sale which began at 7:30. Then we helped Lauri as Bill was at a shooting match. We sold a few items, Lauri cleared out some stuff and Julie sold the bicycle that she bought for herself at a garage sale. We packed up the remains about 1.
When we were printing discount breakfast coupons on Friday morning, the wireless mouse on our computer quit so Terry replaced the battery which did not help. We had no time to mess with it then so I worked on it today. When I tried to go to the internet to find information, I discovered that our air card was also not working – all the USB ports were disabled. I was able to get to the internet using the park wifi, ran a Microsoft fix-it program and the air card started working. Then after another restart, the mouse was working. I still don’t know what happened and what fixed it.
While I was working on the computer and then the blog, Terry was playing cards with Lauri, Neil and Robin. I checked with them and then came home to enjoy some quiet time with a book.
Val invited us over for dinner and then we and Claude & Val went to a dance here at the park. Unfortunately, we were not able to get seats at the same table but we each met nice table-mates and had fun.
Nov 14th – Sun – Mesa
Terry made a run for doughnuts & a bagel for me to start the day with a nutritious breakfast! Then it was time to do laundry. A washer quit on us again but we caught it sooner than last week. We put everything away, made the bed and went shopping at Camping World to spend the money on our gift card.
We were trying to decide where to have lunch when I realized that it was close to happy hour (2 to 7) at Fat Willy’s. There were lots of people there watching ball games so we ate outside.
Just after we had a sandwich for dinner, Claude came over to see if we wanted to play cards so we ended up playing a couple of games of Wizard while sort of keeping an eye on Survivor on TV.
Nov 15th – Mon – Mesa
Claude & Val joined us on the weekly bike ride this morning at 8. We rode to Ben Johnson’s on Main for breakfast. There were 24 in the group today but there was lots of seating and a server for each of 3 large tables so we got breakfast in a timely fashion. We rode just over 11 miles total today and got back at 11. Terry went with Claude to get safety vests like the ones that we got from the bike ride leader. We don’t know where he gets them but he provides them for free to any bike rider who wants one.
Claude took their 5th wheel to Camping World to have a fan installed, Val went to the library & puzzle room and Terry & I went to the grocery store to get food for a party tonight. It started as dinner for Claude & Val since they are leaving tomorrow and mushroomed a bit – 14 for dinner & 2 more later. I did some dinner prep and then joined Val at the puzzle for a while until she went to get her hair cut.
At 4, our guests started arriving to eat, drink and be merry. We kept expanding the circle of chairs and even moved our truck next door to provide more room. Some guests had too much fun and we found that Wine Away works quite well on spilled red wine. We watched the last part of DWTS and played a game where one person gives clues to a word or phrase on an electronic, beeping gizmo. Lots of fun & laughter!
Since we started early, everyone was gone and the few dishes were done by 9.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Nov 9th to 12th - Mesa
Nov 9th – Tues – Mesa
After the gym, water exercises and breakfast, I did some dinner prep and then we ran a couple of errands. Friends Claude & Val arrived in their fifth wheel to stay for a week. After they set up, they came over just in time to head to the courtyard to listen to music and have a beer. We left a little early (it was quite cool in the shade) and gave them a tour of the main building. Back to our place for drinks, catching-up and dinner – yes, Marie, we had baby backs.
Nov 10th – Wed – Mesa
Val joined me this morning at the gym and water exercises. After Val finished getting ready, we all went on a bike tour around the park so we could show them all the amenities.
Then it was off to Camping World. All the people in this park received a coupon to take to Camping World and turn it into a $50 gift certificate by looking at some RV’s or just by filling out a form that may result in a salesman calling you later. So we filled out the forms and spent our $50 for each couple. We made a stop at WalMart for a few items for C&V and Terry ended up buying 2 pairs of much needed jeans. We were all thirsty and hungry but it was already after 2 so we went to Fat Willy’s for beer & appetizers. We hit there at happy hour so the beer & appetizers were at reduced prices and very good.
When we got home, Terry installed the new bike seats that we got at Camping World. Our bikes have a different seat post than most but Terry ended up getting them to work by making a trip to Home Depot for a longer screw. I am not sure that I like the seat real well but will have to ride a bit more and see.
Val put a beef roast in the crock pot today and invited us to dinner. We ate a bit later since we had our substantial snacks at 3. It cooled off enough that we were happy to eat inside.
Nov 11th – Thurs – Mesa
Val joined me again at the gym and I left a few minutes early so we could go to coffee & doughnuts and listen to all the updates. At 9:45, we picked up Claude & Val and followed Dennis & Gloria to the Olive Mill in Queen Creek. We did the tour which is mostly listening to a very knowledgeable and entertaining young man talking about olives and olive oil production. We filed through the small pressing room but you couldn’t see much besides tanks and oil running slowly into a pan. On the way out, we had samples of different types of plain & stuffed olives. Then we sampled many flavors of oil and balsamic vinegar. We all had a good lunch at their deli and then we all went to BevMo which is a large wine & liquor store. Dennis & Gloria left us at that point and we proceeded to Costco where we (foolishly?!) had ice cream after shopping.
When we got back, Terry went for a ride on his bike to test the seat and a large screw – the one he got at Home Depot - holding the seat bent so he decided we better get different seats. So - pack up the seats, return them to Camping World and get a gift certificate since that was how we paid for them, go to WalMart for new seats and new grips and come back to install everything. Then, finally, relax and have an easy, mostly leftovers, dinner.
Nov 12th – Fri – Mesa
Claude & Val wanted to go to the Mesa Marketplace (aka Swap Meet) so we left at 8:30 and had breakfast there before we started shopping. We got a couple of small items and C&V had a lot of fun finding things to buy. We were supposed to go visit mutual friends Tim & Kim at 1 but luckily Kim called and asked if we could come at 3 so we had more shopping time. We came back to drop off our goodies and have a snack, then drove to Tim & Kim’s house in Scottsdale.
We had a great time checking out their house and catching up. Kim made some great guacamole & chips and then hamburgers for dinner. Their son dropped off their 2 granddaughters who were going to spend the night so we left fairly early – besides, we were all tired from walking so much at the swap meet.
After the gym, water exercises and breakfast, I did some dinner prep and then we ran a couple of errands. Friends Claude & Val arrived in their fifth wheel to stay for a week. After they set up, they came over just in time to head to the courtyard to listen to music and have a beer. We left a little early (it was quite cool in the shade) and gave them a tour of the main building. Back to our place for drinks, catching-up and dinner – yes, Marie, we had baby backs.
Nov 10th – Wed – Mesa
Val joined me this morning at the gym and water exercises. After Val finished getting ready, we all went on a bike tour around the park so we could show them all the amenities.
Then it was off to Camping World. All the people in this park received a coupon to take to Camping World and turn it into a $50 gift certificate by looking at some RV’s or just by filling out a form that may result in a salesman calling you later. So we filled out the forms and spent our $50 for each couple. We made a stop at WalMart for a few items for C&V and Terry ended up buying 2 pairs of much needed jeans. We were all thirsty and hungry but it was already after 2 so we went to Fat Willy’s for beer & appetizers. We hit there at happy hour so the beer & appetizers were at reduced prices and very good.
When we got home, Terry installed the new bike seats that we got at Camping World. Our bikes have a different seat post than most but Terry ended up getting them to work by making a trip to Home Depot for a longer screw. I am not sure that I like the seat real well but will have to ride a bit more and see.
Val put a beef roast in the crock pot today and invited us to dinner. We ate a bit later since we had our substantial snacks at 3. It cooled off enough that we were happy to eat inside.
Nov 11th – Thurs – Mesa
Val joined me again at the gym and I left a few minutes early so we could go to coffee & doughnuts and listen to all the updates. At 9:45, we picked up Claude & Val and followed Dennis & Gloria to the Olive Mill in Queen Creek. We did the tour which is mostly listening to a very knowledgeable and entertaining young man talking about olives and olive oil production. We filed through the small pressing room but you couldn’t see much besides tanks and oil running slowly into a pan. On the way out, we had samples of different types of plain & stuffed olives. Then we sampled many flavors of oil and balsamic vinegar. We all had a good lunch at their deli and then we all went to BevMo which is a large wine & liquor store. Dennis & Gloria left us at that point and we proceeded to Costco where we (foolishly?!) had ice cream after shopping.
When we got back, Terry went for a ride on his bike to test the seat and a large screw – the one he got at Home Depot - holding the seat bent so he decided we better get different seats. So - pack up the seats, return them to Camping World and get a gift certificate since that was how we paid for them, go to WalMart for new seats and new grips and come back to install everything. Then, finally, relax and have an easy, mostly leftovers, dinner.
Nov 12th – Fri – Mesa
Claude & Val wanted to go to the Mesa Marketplace (aka Swap Meet) so we left at 8:30 and had breakfast there before we started shopping. We got a couple of small items and C&V had a lot of fun finding things to buy. We were supposed to go visit mutual friends Tim & Kim at 1 but luckily Kim called and asked if we could come at 3 so we had more shopping time. We came back to drop off our goodies and have a snack, then drove to Tim & Kim’s house in Scottsdale.
We had a great time checking out their house and catching up. Kim made some great guacamole & chips and then hamburgers for dinner. Their son dropped off their 2 granddaughters who were going to spend the night so we left fairly early – besides, we were all tired from walking so much at the swap meet.
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Nov 6th to 8th - Mesa
Nov 6th – Sat – Mesa
The gym, breakfast and then grocery shopping at a couple of different stores to take advantage of very good weekly specials.
I was almost finished putting groceries away when our neighbors Larry & Norma came over for a chat. Then we just relaxed until it was time to go to Billy & Lauri’s for dinner. Lauri is trying to lose some more weight so we had all talked about not getting together for dinner so often so we were surprised when Billy stopped by to ask us over this morning. Turns out they had taken advantage of grocery specials as well with a “buy one, get one” offer on roast beef. So we had another good dinner with them and Larry & Julie.
Nov 7th - Sun – Mesa
Today was my turn to make dinner for the group – scheduled before yesterday’s meal. While I was in the shower, Terry rode his bike to Albertson’s again for doughnuts – so good when they are so fresh! We washed our large patio mat and the bare concrete patio under our tables & chairs. I am surprised by how dusty it is here – the surfaces inside need to be dusted almost daily or just don’t look at them when the sun hits them.
We made a quick trip to Big Lots for more rope lights and to K-Mart for a salad bowl and something I could use to cook lasagna in the convection oven. That pan turned out to be too large so I cooked the seafood lasagna in the regular oven.
Other neighbors Dennis & Gloria stopped by about 2 and we watched the end of a football game & chatted. I had to go in to start dinner so Terry sat out with them and they left just as Billy walked up for happy hour. Larry & Julie and Lauri arrived shortly after for more food & drinks. We lit the buddy burner and invited Neil & Robin to join us all for wine & dessert.
Nov 8th – Mon – Mesa
We and Dennis & Gloria joined the bicycle group for a ride at 8 this morning. There were 16 in the group and our leader took us through residential neighborhoods when possible instead of staying on main roads which make most people nervous even though a lot of the roads have bicycle lanes. After 7+ miles, we arrived at the Waffle House for breakfast which was a bit of an overload for the small restaurant, especially since they were short a server. But we all got to eat and headed back. We took a different, more direct, route which turned out to be just over 5 miles and we got back around 11. The group stops every 2 or 3 miles for a few minutes and does not ride really fast so it was a lot of fun.
We finally got around to making new personal cards and got a picture of our new truck & 5th wheel for wallpaper on the computer. Previously, I used Print Shop to make cards but it will not run on our new computer so I had to learn how to use Word to make the card.
Then it was time for “music in the courtyard” from 3 to 5. There were clouds so it was very comfortable and we even danced a bit. Terry invited everyone over after dinner to sit around our “fire” but once we wound down and had dinner, he took a nap and didn’t get going again. I think everyone else did the same as no one knocked on the door.
The gym, breakfast and then grocery shopping at a couple of different stores to take advantage of very good weekly specials.
I was almost finished putting groceries away when our neighbors Larry & Norma came over for a chat. Then we just relaxed until it was time to go to Billy & Lauri’s for dinner. Lauri is trying to lose some more weight so we had all talked about not getting together for dinner so often so we were surprised when Billy stopped by to ask us over this morning. Turns out they had taken advantage of grocery specials as well with a “buy one, get one” offer on roast beef. So we had another good dinner with them and Larry & Julie.
Nov 7th - Sun – Mesa
Today was my turn to make dinner for the group – scheduled before yesterday’s meal. While I was in the shower, Terry rode his bike to Albertson’s again for doughnuts – so good when they are so fresh! We washed our large patio mat and the bare concrete patio under our tables & chairs. I am surprised by how dusty it is here – the surfaces inside need to be dusted almost daily or just don’t look at them when the sun hits them.
We made a quick trip to Big Lots for more rope lights and to K-Mart for a salad bowl and something I could use to cook lasagna in the convection oven. That pan turned out to be too large so I cooked the seafood lasagna in the regular oven.
Other neighbors Dennis & Gloria stopped by about 2 and we watched the end of a football game & chatted. I had to go in to start dinner so Terry sat out with them and they left just as Billy walked up for happy hour. Larry & Julie and Lauri arrived shortly after for more food & drinks. We lit the buddy burner and invited Neil & Robin to join us all for wine & dessert.
Nov 8th – Mon – Mesa
We and Dennis & Gloria joined the bicycle group for a ride at 8 this morning. There were 16 in the group and our leader took us through residential neighborhoods when possible instead of staying on main roads which make most people nervous even though a lot of the roads have bicycle lanes. After 7+ miles, we arrived at the Waffle House for breakfast which was a bit of an overload for the small restaurant, especially since they were short a server. But we all got to eat and headed back. We took a different, more direct, route which turned out to be just over 5 miles and we got back around 11. The group stops every 2 or 3 miles for a few minutes and does not ride really fast so it was a lot of fun.
We finally got around to making new personal cards and got a picture of our new truck & 5th wheel for wallpaper on the computer. Previously, I used Print Shop to make cards but it will not run on our new computer so I had to learn how to use Word to make the card.
Then it was time for “music in the courtyard” from 3 to 5. There were clouds so it was very comfortable and we even danced a bit. Terry invited everyone over after dinner to sit around our “fire” but once we wound down and had dinner, he took a nap and didn’t get going again. I think everyone else did the same as no one knocked on the door.
Saturday, November 06, 2010
Nov 3rd to 5th - Mesa
Nov 3rd – Wed – Mesa
My Achilles tendon was a little sore this morning (chronic condition that flares up regularly) so I skipped the gym and went to water aerobics. Terry put his bicycle in the back of the truck and rode back after dropping the truck off at 8 to have the bed liner done.
We hung around and did miscellaneous chores while we waited for the truck to be done. Terry was told it would be about 4 hours but they didn’t call until after 2. It didn’t take him long to ride his bike over and pick it up. They did a very good job. Then we had to take the stuff out of the storage box, put the box in the truck and put all the stuff back in. Terry was dripping sweat when we were done so he headed to the pool to cool off.
Just after he got back, Julie & Larry stopped by after going to a wine & cheese party that we were invited to but forgot to RSVP as requested so figured we couldn’t go. I had put a roast in the crock pot so I invited them for dinner. Good food, good friends, good time.
Nov 4th – Thurs – Mesa
I went to the gym early today so I would have time to cool down & clean up before the weekly coffee & doughnuts get-together where we sat with new neighbors Dennis & Gloria. We just had time to move the truck over (as we thought someone might be moving in right next to us) and check in with Billy & Lauri (they had gone to the dentist is Algodones, Mexico) before Julie called to say that she had a table for us for a special 11 to 1 “music in the courtyard” with Curtis Knox who is a really good singer. The park had a film crew taking pictures for the web site and brochures and wanted pictures of people having fun in all parts of the park. The outdoor grill was also opening for the first time for the season so we had lunch there. Unfortunately, they weren’t very organized and Terry & Larry had to wait nearly an hour in line to order & get our lunch.
Again, we had a short period of time relaxing at the rig before Billy was at the door saying he was going to the courtyard for the regularly scheduled music and would save us a spot. We got our happy hour bag together and headed over for the 3 to 5 session. Luckily, our table was in the shade as it is pretty hot here again.
Back home to watch TV, read and have a sandwich before going to line dancing lessons at 7. It is a beginners group and we know the first dance that was taught (electric slide) but it is good for beginners to have people who know the dance so they can watch them as they learn. Then we learned a waltz routine to Waltz Across Texas. Terry had a tough time but I picked it up OK. At 8, the instructor and her husband taught couples to waltz. We know how to waltz but are learning some turns. Our neighbors Larry & Norma where also there and we decided we need some music and practice on the patio for the line dances.
Nov 5th – Fri – Mesa
The gym, water exercises and then I undid all the good by eating 2 yummy, fresh doughnuts which Terry got by riding his bike to a nearby Albertsons store. Next was laundry which took longer than it should have as one washer decided to stop after a few minutes and we did not realize it until we took the clothes out of the other machines. So we had to wait an extra 33 minutes for that washer to finish.
Once we had everything put away, we went to the casino. Terry immediately lost $20 at the 21 table and then another $20 on a couple of very uncooperative slot machines. Meanwhile, I was holding my own on the slots. With Terry done & watching, I got down to my last 30 cents on a machine and then back up to $40 where I quit. We found a place from our coupon book to have a very late lunch and it turned out to be closed! So we stopped at Waldo’s BBQ near the park instead.
Terry went to play Texas Holdem’ about 5:15 and I did a couple of chores, went to the puzzle room for an hour or so and then settled in with a good book. Terry came in 14th out of 38 players and had a good time.
My Achilles tendon was a little sore this morning (chronic condition that flares up regularly) so I skipped the gym and went to water aerobics. Terry put his bicycle in the back of the truck and rode back after dropping the truck off at 8 to have the bed liner done.
We hung around and did miscellaneous chores while we waited for the truck to be done. Terry was told it would be about 4 hours but they didn’t call until after 2. It didn’t take him long to ride his bike over and pick it up. They did a very good job. Then we had to take the stuff out of the storage box, put the box in the truck and put all the stuff back in. Terry was dripping sweat when we were done so he headed to the pool to cool off.
Just after he got back, Julie & Larry stopped by after going to a wine & cheese party that we were invited to but forgot to RSVP as requested so figured we couldn’t go. I had put a roast in the crock pot so I invited them for dinner. Good food, good friends, good time.
Nov 4th – Thurs – Mesa
I went to the gym early today so I would have time to cool down & clean up before the weekly coffee & doughnuts get-together where we sat with new neighbors Dennis & Gloria. We just had time to move the truck over (as we thought someone might be moving in right next to us) and check in with Billy & Lauri (they had gone to the dentist is Algodones, Mexico) before Julie called to say that she had a table for us for a special 11 to 1 “music in the courtyard” with Curtis Knox who is a really good singer. The park had a film crew taking pictures for the web site and brochures and wanted pictures of people having fun in all parts of the park. The outdoor grill was also opening for the first time for the season so we had lunch there. Unfortunately, they weren’t very organized and Terry & Larry had to wait nearly an hour in line to order & get our lunch.
Again, we had a short period of time relaxing at the rig before Billy was at the door saying he was going to the courtyard for the regularly scheduled music and would save us a spot. We got our happy hour bag together and headed over for the 3 to 5 session. Luckily, our table was in the shade as it is pretty hot here again.
Back home to watch TV, read and have a sandwich before going to line dancing lessons at 7. It is a beginners group and we know the first dance that was taught (electric slide) but it is good for beginners to have people who know the dance so they can watch them as they learn. Then we learned a waltz routine to Waltz Across Texas. Terry had a tough time but I picked it up OK. At 8, the instructor and her husband taught couples to waltz. We know how to waltz but are learning some turns. Our neighbors Larry & Norma where also there and we decided we need some music and practice on the patio for the line dances.
Nov 5th – Fri – Mesa
The gym, water exercises and then I undid all the good by eating 2 yummy, fresh doughnuts which Terry got by riding his bike to a nearby Albertsons store. Next was laundry which took longer than it should have as one washer decided to stop after a few minutes and we did not realize it until we took the clothes out of the other machines. So we had to wait an extra 33 minutes for that washer to finish.
Once we had everything put away, we went to the casino. Terry immediately lost $20 at the 21 table and then another $20 on a couple of very uncooperative slot machines. Meanwhile, I was holding my own on the slots. With Terry done & watching, I got down to my last 30 cents on a machine and then back up to $40 where I quit. We found a place from our coupon book to have a very late lunch and it turned out to be closed! So we stopped at Waldo’s BBQ near the park instead.
Terry went to play Texas Holdem’ about 5:15 and I did a couple of chores, went to the puzzle room for an hour or so and then settled in with a good book. Terry came in 14th out of 38 players and had a good time.
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Oct 30th to Nov 2nd - Mesa
Oct 30th – Sat – Mesa
After I went to the gym, we went back to the rummage sale as everything left was ½ price today and we thought we might get some more candles. But first we saw some plastic patio chairs and I convinced Terry that we needed them for having dinner outside as our regular outside chairs are too wide and too low for pulling up to a table. At $3 for 6 chairs we figure we will use them for the winter and then get rid of them. We did find a few more candles. We made a stop at WalMart as I used up my black thread yesterday. When we came back we washed up our fancy chairs and discovered some cracked legs so now I have to find glue.
We didn’t have much breakfast so we had a late lunch/very early dinner of steak on the BBQ, salad & garlic toast – yum!
At 4:30 we went to Billy & Lauri’s for the pumpkin pie that we were too full for yesterday. I got my sewing kit and helped Laurie with a final few bits on her costume.
We went to the ballroom about 6:45 for the 7 o’clock start time for the Halloween party and for once the doors did not open early. So there was a long line of people in the hall and everyone was having a great time checking out costumes and chatting. The majority of the attendees were dressed in some type of costume even if it was just worn jeans, a plaid shirts and a hat like me. Terry looked great in overalls, plaid shirt with the sleeves cut off, a bright tie that clashed wonderfully with his shirt, a engineer’s cap and his pants rolled up high enough to show off his white socks & black shoes.
Oct 31st – Sun – Mesa
We decided this morning to go to the Swap Meet for breakfast and to wander around. We had coupons from a vendor so our breakfasts only cost $1.50 each – hard to beat. We ended up buying a couple of small items. On the way back we stopped at Home Depot and bought a can of green spray paint to spruce up our “new” chairs which more than doubled their cost. One can of paint did all the seats & backs and the front legs on 2 chairs that had been partially painted white. I found a tube of glue that looks like it is working OK on the cracked legs.
We were very lazy the rest of the day – didn’t even go to the pool or see our friends. Just read, worked on the computer and played on the computer (you know who!).
Nov 1st – Mon – Mesa
I skipped the gym today so Terry & I could go for a bike ride outside the park. The streets around the park have dedicated bicycle lanes so I feel fairly safe riding in them. We did cut the ride short and only went 3 ½ miles instead of the 5 mile loop. We’ll work up to that! Then we went to the office to buy tickets for 2 dances in November. The tickets go on sale at 9 o’clock on the first Monday of the month. Groups of friends want to sit together but cannot reserve tables so people line up starting at 5 to buy tickets at 9. Last year, you could buy up to 10 tickets so only one person for each table had to line up. This year they tried to make it fairer and changed to 4 tickets each which will probably result in a longer line with 2 or 3 people for each table. We got tickets at 9:20 but when Julie checked at 11 there were only single seats left. The ballroom is much too small for the size of the park and the number of people who like to dance.
We checked out the “Country Store” in the ballroom where vendors set up their wares every other Monday. There was a Tupperware dealer and I had a broken lid so we got the lid, went back and she will have a new lid for me at the next “store”. We tried to sign up for golf for tomorrow but the sign-up sheet was gone and there was no contact name & number on the new sheet. I called the golf course and they said to just show up and they could probably work things out so we could golf with Neil & Robin.
We went to Fry’s for groceries & diesel and got greasy fried chicken for lunch – just what I need! Then we joined “the group” in the pool. One pool is still closed for cleaning so there were quite a few people there. We suggested to Bill & Lauri and Larry & Julie that they all come over to watch the World Series on the outside TV and have an appetizer dinner. We all threw food together and had a great time eating, drinking and occasionally watching the ball game.
Nov 2nd – Tues – Mesa
We went golfing with Neil & Robin this morning. We checked in first at the golf course to make sure we could play with N&R and to find out our tee time (10:12) and then went to a nearby Dennys for breakfast. It got very warm by the time we started the second 9. The greens had been plugged and sanded but otherwise the course was in pretty good shape and we all had a good time.
On the drive to the golf course, Neil explored the features on our GPS and decided that he wanted to buy one to replace their old model so we made a detour to Costco on the way home. We shopped a bit and then got ice cream after we checked out.
We dropped off Neil & Robin, made a drink and walked over to listen to music in the courtyard. There weren’t any chairs in the shade so we just stood in the walkway which was kind of nice as it was easy for people to stop and chat.
Next we had to unload the storage box in the truck, remove the box and put everything back in the box until we get the truck back tomorrow after getting the bed liner sprayed in – and then we get to do it all in reverse. Terry got Neil to help him lift the box out of the truck so I didn’t have to struggle with that task. Dinner & TV for the rest of the evening.
After I went to the gym, we went back to the rummage sale as everything left was ½ price today and we thought we might get some more candles. But first we saw some plastic patio chairs and I convinced Terry that we needed them for having dinner outside as our regular outside chairs are too wide and too low for pulling up to a table. At $3 for 6 chairs we figure we will use them for the winter and then get rid of them. We did find a few more candles. We made a stop at WalMart as I used up my black thread yesterday. When we came back we washed up our fancy chairs and discovered some cracked legs so now I have to find glue.
We didn’t have much breakfast so we had a late lunch/very early dinner of steak on the BBQ, salad & garlic toast – yum!
At 4:30 we went to Billy & Lauri’s for the pumpkin pie that we were too full for yesterday. I got my sewing kit and helped Laurie with a final few bits on her costume.
We went to the ballroom about 6:45 for the 7 o’clock start time for the Halloween party and for once the doors did not open early. So there was a long line of people in the hall and everyone was having a great time checking out costumes and chatting. The majority of the attendees were dressed in some type of costume even if it was just worn jeans, a plaid shirts and a hat like me. Terry looked great in overalls, plaid shirt with the sleeves cut off, a bright tie that clashed wonderfully with his shirt, a engineer’s cap and his pants rolled up high enough to show off his white socks & black shoes.
Oct 31st – Sun – Mesa
We decided this morning to go to the Swap Meet for breakfast and to wander around. We had coupons from a vendor so our breakfasts only cost $1.50 each – hard to beat. We ended up buying a couple of small items. On the way back we stopped at Home Depot and bought a can of green spray paint to spruce up our “new” chairs which more than doubled their cost. One can of paint did all the seats & backs and the front legs on 2 chairs that had been partially painted white. I found a tube of glue that looks like it is working OK on the cracked legs.
We were very lazy the rest of the day – didn’t even go to the pool or see our friends. Just read, worked on the computer and played on the computer (you know who!).
Nov 1st – Mon – Mesa
I skipped the gym today so Terry & I could go for a bike ride outside the park. The streets around the park have dedicated bicycle lanes so I feel fairly safe riding in them. We did cut the ride short and only went 3 ½ miles instead of the 5 mile loop. We’ll work up to that! Then we went to the office to buy tickets for 2 dances in November. The tickets go on sale at 9 o’clock on the first Monday of the month. Groups of friends want to sit together but cannot reserve tables so people line up starting at 5 to buy tickets at 9. Last year, you could buy up to 10 tickets so only one person for each table had to line up. This year they tried to make it fairer and changed to 4 tickets each which will probably result in a longer line with 2 or 3 people for each table. We got tickets at 9:20 but when Julie checked at 11 there were only single seats left. The ballroom is much too small for the size of the park and the number of people who like to dance.
We checked out the “Country Store” in the ballroom where vendors set up their wares every other Monday. There was a Tupperware dealer and I had a broken lid so we got the lid, went back and she will have a new lid for me at the next “store”. We tried to sign up for golf for tomorrow but the sign-up sheet was gone and there was no contact name & number on the new sheet. I called the golf course and they said to just show up and they could probably work things out so we could golf with Neil & Robin.
We went to Fry’s for groceries & diesel and got greasy fried chicken for lunch – just what I need! Then we joined “the group” in the pool. One pool is still closed for cleaning so there were quite a few people there. We suggested to Bill & Lauri and Larry & Julie that they all come over to watch the World Series on the outside TV and have an appetizer dinner. We all threw food together and had a great time eating, drinking and occasionally watching the ball game.
Nov 2nd – Tues – Mesa
We went golfing with Neil & Robin this morning. We checked in first at the golf course to make sure we could play with N&R and to find out our tee time (10:12) and then went to a nearby Dennys for breakfast. It got very warm by the time we started the second 9. The greens had been plugged and sanded but otherwise the course was in pretty good shape and we all had a good time.
On the drive to the golf course, Neil explored the features on our GPS and decided that he wanted to buy one to replace their old model so we made a detour to Costco on the way home. We shopped a bit and then got ice cream after we checked out.
We dropped off Neil & Robin, made a drink and walked over to listen to music in the courtyard. There weren’t any chairs in the shade so we just stood in the walkway which was kind of nice as it was easy for people to stop and chat.
Next we had to unload the storage box in the truck, remove the box and put everything back in the box until we get the truck back tomorrow after getting the bed liner sprayed in – and then we get to do it all in reverse. Terry got Neil to help him lift the box out of the truck so I didn’t have to struggle with that task. Dinner & TV for the rest of the evening.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Oct 27th to 29th - Mesa
Oct 27th – Wed – Mesa
Gym & water exercises this morning followed by coffee & reading before making breakfast. This is getting to be a nice routine with Terry hooked on Jewel Quest on the computer.
We went for a walk to pick up our utility bill at the post office and then to the office to pay it. We detoured past the puzzle room and both worked on puzzles for a bit. I stayed there while Terry went back and did some research on the computer. He picked me up and we tried to find a shop to get a bed liner sprayed in our truck. It appears as if he found another business that no longer exists in the spot shown on the internet. We stopped at Camping World but there was no one there to talk to about getting a satellite on our rig.
We wanted something to eat but not a lot so used a “2 for 1” coupon and had ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery. It is good ice cream but too expensive for me to enjoy normally!
We had a quiet evening by ourselves for a change.
Oct 28th – Thurs – Mesa
We went for coffee & doughnuts in the ballroom this morning and listened to all the news. I picked up a new book at the library on the way back. Then we went to a huge rummage sale at a church where we ran into Billy, Lauri & Julie. We were all looking for items to put together Halloween costumes for the “Hillbilly Halloween” dance on Saturday and did pretty good. Terry & I went for lunch on the way home. I am going to get my food handlers’ card so I can volunteer for things if I want too so we picked up a study guide at the office and I started to read it & do the practice questions.
At 3, Terry & I went to the courtyard to listen to a singer who was not very good. We sat with our neighbors Larry & Norma. I started dinner when we got back and Terry found the 2nd game of the World Series on the outside TV. Larry & Norma were outside eating dinner so we asked them over to watch the game. We lit our buddy burner and had a good time – too bad the game was so lopsided. I finished going through my study guide after the game finished.
Oct 29th – Fri – Mesa
I skipped water aerobics this morning (but not the gym) to take my food handlers’ test. It took us much longer to find the place where the testing was taking place than it took me to successfully complete the short test.
We found a shop that does bed liners and Terry made an appointment to get the truck done next week. We did not have time to get it done when we bought the truck. We also stopped at a grocery store. While I was putting groceries away and making breakfast, Terry tried on his Halloween costume and then set up my sewing machine. I shortened swim shorts for Terry and then we went to Neil & Robin’s to see if Robin wanted me to do some sewing for her. On the way back, we stopped at Lauri’s to get her Halloween dress that I will be altering. Terry went to Costco with Billy and I was just finishing sewing some lace on Lauri’s dress when Robin came over & the guys returned. I sewed some trim on Robin’s Olive Oyl skirt and then finished a bit more on Lauri’s dress.
Robin asked if I wanted to go with her to return a couple of items at Target and try to figure out what to use to make Popeye’s (Neil’s) muscular forearms. So I took off for a bit while Terry got his game fix in on the computer.
We had been invited to dinner at Billy & Lauri’s and Larry & Julie were already there when I returned. So I went home to get Terry and our happy hour bag. We had a good dinner and a lot of laughs as usual. Billy’s trip to Costco was to get a pumpkin pie for dessert (which I am storing in our fridge) but we were all too full to eat it!
Gym & water exercises this morning followed by coffee & reading before making breakfast. This is getting to be a nice routine with Terry hooked on Jewel Quest on the computer.
We went for a walk to pick up our utility bill at the post office and then to the office to pay it. We detoured past the puzzle room and both worked on puzzles for a bit. I stayed there while Terry went back and did some research on the computer. He picked me up and we tried to find a shop to get a bed liner sprayed in our truck. It appears as if he found another business that no longer exists in the spot shown on the internet. We stopped at Camping World but there was no one there to talk to about getting a satellite on our rig.
We wanted something to eat but not a lot so used a “2 for 1” coupon and had ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery. It is good ice cream but too expensive for me to enjoy normally!
We had a quiet evening by ourselves for a change.
Oct 28th – Thurs – Mesa
We went for coffee & doughnuts in the ballroom this morning and listened to all the news. I picked up a new book at the library on the way back. Then we went to a huge rummage sale at a church where we ran into Billy, Lauri & Julie. We were all looking for items to put together Halloween costumes for the “Hillbilly Halloween” dance on Saturday and did pretty good. Terry & I went for lunch on the way home. I am going to get my food handlers’ card so I can volunteer for things if I want too so we picked up a study guide at the office and I started to read it & do the practice questions.
At 3, Terry & I went to the courtyard to listen to a singer who was not very good. We sat with our neighbors Larry & Norma. I started dinner when we got back and Terry found the 2nd game of the World Series on the outside TV. Larry & Norma were outside eating dinner so we asked them over to watch the game. We lit our buddy burner and had a good time – too bad the game was so lopsided. I finished going through my study guide after the game finished.
Oct 29th – Fri – Mesa
I skipped water aerobics this morning (but not the gym) to take my food handlers’ test. It took us much longer to find the place where the testing was taking place than it took me to successfully complete the short test.
We found a shop that does bed liners and Terry made an appointment to get the truck done next week. We did not have time to get it done when we bought the truck. We also stopped at a grocery store. While I was putting groceries away and making breakfast, Terry tried on his Halloween costume and then set up my sewing machine. I shortened swim shorts for Terry and then we went to Neil & Robin’s to see if Robin wanted me to do some sewing for her. On the way back, we stopped at Lauri’s to get her Halloween dress that I will be altering. Terry went to Costco with Billy and I was just finishing sewing some lace on Lauri’s dress when Robin came over & the guys returned. I sewed some trim on Robin’s Olive Oyl skirt and then finished a bit more on Lauri’s dress.
Robin asked if I wanted to go with her to return a couple of items at Target and try to figure out what to use to make Popeye’s (Neil’s) muscular forearms. So I took off for a bit while Terry got his game fix in on the computer.
We had been invited to dinner at Billy & Lauri’s and Larry & Julie were already there when I returned. So I went home to get Terry and our happy hour bag. We had a good dinner and a lot of laughs as usual. Billy’s trip to Costco was to get a pumpkin pie for dessert (which I am storing in our fridge) but we were all too full to eat it!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Oct 23rd to 26th - Mesa
Oct 23rd – Sat – Mesa
Terry had what we thought was a good idea today – a drive to the Swap Meet at Goodyear which is west of Phoenix. We drove the 41 miles (45 minutes on freeways) to discover that the swap meet is not open and from the look of the place may not be open this year. Of course, once we saw the closed swap meet, we had to drive another 5 miles or so to the next exit.
Shortly after we left the park earlier, we drove past several yard sale signs which Julie & Lauri wanted to check out so now we could do so. At one sale, we got a map of a neighborhood sale and hit a few of those before everyone was hungry – and needing “facilities”. We went to a sports bar for lunch and a beer and then went back to the sales. Unfortunately, or fortunately for the guys, a lot of them were closing by then. The largest purchase was a bicycle for Julie which she does not know how to ride and we are all afraid that she will get hurt learning.
Oct 24th – Sun – Mesa
I don’t know what I ate that disagreed with me but I did not have a comfortable night as I spent quite a bit of it appreciating the porcelain toilet in our rig. I didn’t feel well most of the day so was content to be very lazy. We took a short walk and stopped at Larry & Julie’s for a bit. Terry went back to get some wrenches so he & Bill could adjust the seat & brakes on Julie’s bike but she was still scared on a short test ride with Bill running alongside and holding her.
Oct 25th – Mon – Mesa
I had a great sleep last night and felt all better this morning.
We went to Camping World to talk to a knowledgeable employee about a satellite dish to be mounted on the roof of the 5th wheel. With the information from him we realize that we will be much better off with the more expensive model so will think about that for a bit.
Then we went grocery shopping at Fry’s. I forgot the store card in the truck and tried every phone number that made sense at the checkout but none worked. A lady behind me said to use her card so I did and then went to the customer service center to get things straightened out. There was a line of customers and one clerk so Terry had just about given up on me when I finally got it all done. For some reason, the phone number on our account was not linked to the card so it wouldn’t pull up. Good thing we are retired and have lots of time!!
Julie invited us and Billy & Lauri over for what she calls a “summer dinner” – brats, potato salad & baked beans. Of course she also made appetizers and Lauri brought a Waldorf salad. And let’s not forget the spice cake for dessert. I will have to increase my treadmill time!
Oct 26th – Tues – Mesa
Our cooler was making so much noise last night that I got up at 3 and went outside to unplug it as it was plugged into a DC plug in the compartment. Before I could get the compartment door unlocked, Terry was out there is his underwear helping me – which I mention since there was a nearly full moon and it was very light out.
After the gym, the pool and breakfast, we went to WalMart to get a new cooler. From our experience and comments of others, it appears as if the coolers only last about a year but it is really nice to have one even with our larger fridge.
We went over to say hello to new neighbors across the street – Larry & Norma from Colorado – and ended up staying & chatting for a while.
Later in the afternoon, we went to Lauri & Billy’s so I could help Lauri on her computer. I think part of her problems is a slow park wifi connection so I suggested she take her computer to a spot in the park that is closer to a signal. While we were working on the computer, Terry went back and got our happy hour supplies. Bill & Lauri’s new neighbors -Neil & Robin from Cle Elum WA - joined us.
Terry had what we thought was a good idea today – a drive to the Swap Meet at Goodyear which is west of Phoenix. We drove the 41 miles (45 minutes on freeways) to discover that the swap meet is not open and from the look of the place may not be open this year. Of course, once we saw the closed swap meet, we had to drive another 5 miles or so to the next exit.
Shortly after we left the park earlier, we drove past several yard sale signs which Julie & Lauri wanted to check out so now we could do so. At one sale, we got a map of a neighborhood sale and hit a few of those before everyone was hungry – and needing “facilities”. We went to a sports bar for lunch and a beer and then went back to the sales. Unfortunately, or fortunately for the guys, a lot of them were closing by then. The largest purchase was a bicycle for Julie which she does not know how to ride and we are all afraid that she will get hurt learning.
Oct 24th – Sun – Mesa
I don’t know what I ate that disagreed with me but I did not have a comfortable night as I spent quite a bit of it appreciating the porcelain toilet in our rig. I didn’t feel well most of the day so was content to be very lazy. We took a short walk and stopped at Larry & Julie’s for a bit. Terry went back to get some wrenches so he & Bill could adjust the seat & brakes on Julie’s bike but she was still scared on a short test ride with Bill running alongside and holding her.
Oct 25th – Mon – Mesa
I had a great sleep last night and felt all better this morning.
We went to Camping World to talk to a knowledgeable employee about a satellite dish to be mounted on the roof of the 5th wheel. With the information from him we realize that we will be much better off with the more expensive model so will think about that for a bit.
Then we went grocery shopping at Fry’s. I forgot the store card in the truck and tried every phone number that made sense at the checkout but none worked. A lady behind me said to use her card so I did and then went to the customer service center to get things straightened out. There was a line of customers and one clerk so Terry had just about given up on me when I finally got it all done. For some reason, the phone number on our account was not linked to the card so it wouldn’t pull up. Good thing we are retired and have lots of time!!
Julie invited us and Billy & Lauri over for what she calls a “summer dinner” – brats, potato salad & baked beans. Of course she also made appetizers and Lauri brought a Waldorf salad. And let’s not forget the spice cake for dessert. I will have to increase my treadmill time!
Oct 26th – Tues – Mesa
Our cooler was making so much noise last night that I got up at 3 and went outside to unplug it as it was plugged into a DC plug in the compartment. Before I could get the compartment door unlocked, Terry was out there is his underwear helping me – which I mention since there was a nearly full moon and it was very light out.
After the gym, the pool and breakfast, we went to WalMart to get a new cooler. From our experience and comments of others, it appears as if the coolers only last about a year but it is really nice to have one even with our larger fridge.
We went over to say hello to new neighbors across the street – Larry & Norma from Colorado – and ended up staying & chatting for a while.
Later in the afternoon, we went to Lauri & Billy’s so I could help Lauri on her computer. I think part of her problems is a slow park wifi connection so I suggested she take her computer to a spot in the park that is closer to a signal. While we were working on the computer, Terry went back and got our happy hour supplies. Bill & Lauri’s new neighbors -Neil & Robin from Cle Elum WA - joined us.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Oct 20th to 22nd - Mesa
Oct 20th – Wed – Mesa
So far, so good – the gym & water exercises again in the morning. Then Terry & I went out for breakfast, went to the produce market (we are eating a lot of fruit), fueled up the truck and stopped at the bank. Then on to Kohl’s as Lauri said there was a big sale going on. We met Billy, Lauri & Julie coming out of Kohl’s and they gave me a coupon that they did not use. I tried of some clothes and ended up buying a pair of capris, Terry didn’t find anything.
We came back to drop off the produce and Terry was bored so we went to the casino. He played 21 and after 2 ½ hours finally lost $20. My first $20 lasted a long time but my second $20 disappeared in the usual hurry!
Oct 21st – Thurs – Mesa
Rain kept me awake several times last night so I woke up a little late to get to the gym and still be on time for coffee & doughnuts so skipped the gym. I figured I would still go to water aerobics since they start later on Thursday but announcements & such ran too long so didn’t make that either. We met some nice people and one guy (Tom & wife Arlene) insisted on giving us a ride back on his golf cart. After they saw our rig & truck, we went to their place. They have a double wide in the Rancho section of the RV park. It is about 1200 sq ft and very nice. They have empty lots on both sides of them that are too small for houses so they look after them and also have nice landscaping on their place with lots of flowering shrubs & trees.
We had just got back when Billy asked if we wanted to go for a hike in about an hour so we had some lunch and headed out. We drove a few miles and then walked up a hill on a road that is old and closed to traffic. The road goes around the hill but is fairly steep so was a good workout. The top is flat so we could walk around and get a 360 degree view and take pictures.
At 3:30 we went to the courtyard for a musical program at 4. A young lady (Tina Peoples) with a lovely voice was the entertainer. Unfortunately, it started to rain about 4:30 so everyone took shelter and she took a break. We were all able to return to our seats after a bit and the show went on. Dinner & TV filled the rest of the evening.
Oct 22nd – Fri – Mesa
After the gym & water aerobics (cool weather but warm water), we went to the Marketplace to exchange one of the metal art pieces that we got last week for a larger version of the same item. It is over the slide in the kitchen and was just not large enough for the spot. The new one looks much better. We also found 3 cats to put on our highest shelf on the end of the kitchen cabinets. We had just finished getting the items secured when Billy stopped by and said yes when we asked if they wanted to join us on a trip to Trader Joe’s. When we got back, we stopped at Larry & Julie’s to set a time to go to dinner.
There was plenty of time for a drink before going to dinner so we gathered at our place. The weather has cooled down a lot and it is nice to sit outside. We drove everyone to the Chinese buffet that we and Billy & Lauri have gone to previously. Everyone enjoyed too much food.
So far, so good – the gym & water exercises again in the morning. Then Terry & I went out for breakfast, went to the produce market (we are eating a lot of fruit), fueled up the truck and stopped at the bank. Then on to Kohl’s as Lauri said there was a big sale going on. We met Billy, Lauri & Julie coming out of Kohl’s and they gave me a coupon that they did not use. I tried of some clothes and ended up buying a pair of capris, Terry didn’t find anything.
We came back to drop off the produce and Terry was bored so we went to the casino. He played 21 and after 2 ½ hours finally lost $20. My first $20 lasted a long time but my second $20 disappeared in the usual hurry!
Oct 21st – Thurs – Mesa
Rain kept me awake several times last night so I woke up a little late to get to the gym and still be on time for coffee & doughnuts so skipped the gym. I figured I would still go to water aerobics since they start later on Thursday but announcements & such ran too long so didn’t make that either. We met some nice people and one guy (Tom & wife Arlene) insisted on giving us a ride back on his golf cart. After they saw our rig & truck, we went to their place. They have a double wide in the Rancho section of the RV park. It is about 1200 sq ft and very nice. They have empty lots on both sides of them that are too small for houses so they look after them and also have nice landscaping on their place with lots of flowering shrubs & trees.
We had just got back when Billy asked if we wanted to go for a hike in about an hour so we had some lunch and headed out. We drove a few miles and then walked up a hill on a road that is old and closed to traffic. The road goes around the hill but is fairly steep so was a good workout. The top is flat so we could walk around and get a 360 degree view and take pictures.
At 3:30 we went to the courtyard for a musical program at 4. A young lady (Tina Peoples) with a lovely voice was the entertainer. Unfortunately, it started to rain about 4:30 so everyone took shelter and she took a break. We were all able to return to our seats after a bit and the show went on. Dinner & TV filled the rest of the evening.
Oct 22nd – Fri – Mesa
After the gym & water aerobics (cool weather but warm water), we went to the Marketplace to exchange one of the metal art pieces that we got last week for a larger version of the same item. It is over the slide in the kitchen and was just not large enough for the spot. The new one looks much better. We also found 3 cats to put on our highest shelf on the end of the kitchen cabinets. We had just finished getting the items secured when Billy stopped by and said yes when we asked if they wanted to join us on a trip to Trader Joe’s. When we got back, we stopped at Larry & Julie’s to set a time to go to dinner.
There was plenty of time for a drink before going to dinner so we gathered at our place. The weather has cooled down a lot and it is nice to sit outside. We drove everyone to the Chinese buffet that we and Billy & Lauri have gone to previously. Everyone enjoyed too much food.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Oct 16th to 19th - Mesa
Oct 16th – Sat – Mesa
Terry & I went to the Mesa Marketplace (Swap Meet) this morning. Before we went we printed discount coupons from the internet for breakfast and used one when we got there. We wandered around a bit and then bought 2 more metal art wall decorations for our home.
We stopped at Costco and then the produce market on the way back.
Lauri made dinner for our group today. I didn’t bring anything for dinner – all we did was help Julie carry 8 pieces of chocolate cake from the Octoberfest dinner last night! Apparently there were 4 pieces of cake per person provided for dinner so there was a lot left over.
Oct 17th – Sun – Mesa
I went for a bike ride with Terry around the park (6 miles) this morning instead of going to the gym. The weather has been cooler at night so it is still nice to ride in the morning.
We were taking a turn for dinner today and found out I was missing an ingredient so had to go to a grocery store. We also were looking for tablecloths for our two metal tables that we use together for more than 4 people. We compromised on an inexpensive vinyl cloth that was big enough to cut and make separate covers for each table.
I did some dinner prep and then we went to the pool for a while before everyone came over. I used the crock pot again for a beef roast & gravy this time. Again, a good time was had by all.
Oct 18th – Mon – Mesa
When I got back from the gym this morning, Billy called to say that there was a water aerobics class at 9 so I had some fruit & coffee and joined them there. Terry was playing a game on the computer and was not interested in the pool. There were only 2 other women at the class but it was fun.
Terry was really involved in his game so I read, did some cleaning, read some more, baked some cookies and read some more. Lovely, lazy day. We finally walked to get a couple gallons of water and invited some neighbors over for a drink. Gary & Rosie from Bismarck, ND came over and we talked non-stop until after 7. They will only be here for a couple more days and then will fly home and return in January.
We had an easy, leftovers dinner and watched TV.
Oct 19th – Tues – Mesa
I did the gym & water aerobics this morning while Terry was glued to the computer and his game. After a late breakfast, we found a place to get a haircut for me and then I cut Terry’s hair.
At 3 we went to the courtyard to listen to music (Curtis Knox), have a drink and a couple of dances. Julie & Larry got there early and saved a table for our group. The park provided some snacks (meatballs, wings, wrapped wieners and chips & salsa) and you could buy drinks or take your own which we did.
The music was over at 5. We went to Lauri & Bill’s to help Lauri finish a jigsaw puzzle which she had on a table outside and wanted to complete in case it rained tonight. Then we came back and made dinner. We walked to the library so I could get a couple of books and settled in for the evening.
Terry & I went to the Mesa Marketplace (Swap Meet) this morning. Before we went we printed discount coupons from the internet for breakfast and used one when we got there. We wandered around a bit and then bought 2 more metal art wall decorations for our home.
We stopped at Costco and then the produce market on the way back.
Lauri made dinner for our group today. I didn’t bring anything for dinner – all we did was help Julie carry 8 pieces of chocolate cake from the Octoberfest dinner last night! Apparently there were 4 pieces of cake per person provided for dinner so there was a lot left over.
Oct 17th – Sun – Mesa
I went for a bike ride with Terry around the park (6 miles) this morning instead of going to the gym. The weather has been cooler at night so it is still nice to ride in the morning.
We were taking a turn for dinner today and found out I was missing an ingredient so had to go to a grocery store. We also were looking for tablecloths for our two metal tables that we use together for more than 4 people. We compromised on an inexpensive vinyl cloth that was big enough to cut and make separate covers for each table.
I did some dinner prep and then we went to the pool for a while before everyone came over. I used the crock pot again for a beef roast & gravy this time. Again, a good time was had by all.
Oct 18th – Mon – Mesa
When I got back from the gym this morning, Billy called to say that there was a water aerobics class at 9 so I had some fruit & coffee and joined them there. Terry was playing a game on the computer and was not interested in the pool. There were only 2 other women at the class but it was fun.
Terry was really involved in his game so I read, did some cleaning, read some more, baked some cookies and read some more. Lovely, lazy day. We finally walked to get a couple gallons of water and invited some neighbors over for a drink. Gary & Rosie from Bismarck, ND came over and we talked non-stop until after 7. They will only be here for a couple more days and then will fly home and return in January.
We had an easy, leftovers dinner and watched TV.
Oct 19th – Tues – Mesa
I did the gym & water aerobics this morning while Terry was glued to the computer and his game. After a late breakfast, we found a place to get a haircut for me and then I cut Terry’s hair.
At 3 we went to the courtyard to listen to music (Curtis Knox), have a drink and a couple of dances. Julie & Larry got there early and saved a table for our group. The park provided some snacks (meatballs, wings, wrapped wieners and chips & salsa) and you could buy drinks or take your own which we did.
The music was over at 5. We went to Lauri & Bill’s to help Lauri finish a jigsaw puzzle which she had on a table outside and wanted to complete in case it rained tonight. Then we came back and made dinner. We walked to the library so I could get a couple of books and settled in for the evening.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Oct 13th to 15th - Mesa
Oct 13th – Wed - Mesa
We spent a lot of time today getting everything together to renew my passport which of course is Canadian. I filled in the form on the computer and messed up (I know, hard to believe!) before I got it printed and had to fill it out all over again. Then I needed photos – not so easy in the US to get the size required for a Canadian passport. First we went to a CVS pharmacy but they did not have a Canadian template. Then we tried a post office and IF they could have done it we would have needed an appointment. They suggested a Motophoto store – the first one was no longer there and the second had moved and left a phone number to make an appointment. After getting more ideas from a phone book, we decided it was time for a late breakfast. After eating, we found a nearby Walgreens store with a new employee who found that, yes, they did have a Canadian template but we would have to cut the pictures. I think I can handle that. She took a couple pictures which did not work and took another one. Then we wandered around the store for 20 minutes and she was still on the phone as she had a problem with the printer so we left. We stopped at a UPS store and were told that normally they do passport photos but their camera was broken! So on to another Walgreens store where we found a very knowledgeable employee and got the pictures in about 10 minutes. We got back in time to put everything together and get to the post office here which is only open until 2.
From 4 until 6 we all went to an afternoon dance which they call The Watering Hole. There was a band which looked country and played a mix of music – mostly danceable which provided my second workout of the day. BYOB which keeps the cost down.
I made a light dinner and we went to bed early to watch TV which results in Terry falling asleep and me reading for hours!
Oct 14th – Thurs – Mesa
I went to the gym earlier than usual this morning so I would have time to decompress (quit sweating!) and clean up before going for coffee & doughnuts. Anyone see a problem with “gym” and “doughnuts” in the same sentence?
Then it was time to do laundry again and luckily a short water outage was fixed by the time we got everything sorted out. I made lunch and had time for a quick visit to the library & puzzle room before we picked up the group for a trip to an Eagles club to play bingo.
Bingo started at 3 and we had plenty of time to get cards and learn the ropes before it started. It was kind of expensive - $1 per card per game and $5 for the last game (10 games total) – but there were not too many players so the odds of winning were better than at big games I guess. Terry won one game ($50) and I split one win ($26.50) so we came out ahead but the rest of our group did not win. Pitchers of beer were only $3.25, the AC was nice & cool and Julie could smoke there so it was an OK activity.
Dinner & TV for the rest of the evening.
Oct 15th – Fri – Mesa
I vacuumed this morning while I was still in my sweaty workout clothes. We had our mail forwarded so we went through that and then made a trip to the bank, the grocery store and the produce market.
The temperature did not reach 100 today but it was still plenty warm and called for a trip to the pool. Billy & Lauri and Larry & Julie were shopping so we were out of the pool by the time Billy & Lauri headed over there.
At 4 we all went to an Octoberfest dinner & dance here at the park. Our rent package included 5 complementary parties and this was the first. There was a 2 man band – accordion & drums – that was very good. They played “oompa” music before dinner, switched to slower, quieter dinner music and then kicked it up again for dancing. Dinner was brats, hot potato salad, sauerkraut & German chocolate cake. We received 2 tickets each for wine or beer but then they just opened another keg of beer and more wine and opened up the bar. We danced until 7 when the band quit and by then most of the tables were totally cleared and stacked with chairs.
We make fun of the early hours kept by a lot of the residents of RV parks in the sun belt but we are picking up the habit. We went to bed at 8:30 to watch TV and I know Terry didn’t see the end of the program.
We spent a lot of time today getting everything together to renew my passport which of course is Canadian. I filled in the form on the computer and messed up (I know, hard to believe!) before I got it printed and had to fill it out all over again. Then I needed photos – not so easy in the US to get the size required for a Canadian passport. First we went to a CVS pharmacy but they did not have a Canadian template. Then we tried a post office and IF they could have done it we would have needed an appointment. They suggested a Motophoto store – the first one was no longer there and the second had moved and left a phone number to make an appointment. After getting more ideas from a phone book, we decided it was time for a late breakfast. After eating, we found a nearby Walgreens store with a new employee who found that, yes, they did have a Canadian template but we would have to cut the pictures. I think I can handle that. She took a couple pictures which did not work and took another one. Then we wandered around the store for 20 minutes and she was still on the phone as she had a problem with the printer so we left. We stopped at a UPS store and were told that normally they do passport photos but their camera was broken! So on to another Walgreens store where we found a very knowledgeable employee and got the pictures in about 10 minutes. We got back in time to put everything together and get to the post office here which is only open until 2.
From 4 until 6 we all went to an afternoon dance which they call The Watering Hole. There was a band which looked country and played a mix of music – mostly danceable which provided my second workout of the day. BYOB which keeps the cost down.
I made a light dinner and we went to bed early to watch TV which results in Terry falling asleep and me reading for hours!
Oct 14th – Thurs – Mesa
I went to the gym earlier than usual this morning so I would have time to decompress (quit sweating!) and clean up before going for coffee & doughnuts. Anyone see a problem with “gym” and “doughnuts” in the same sentence?
Then it was time to do laundry again and luckily a short water outage was fixed by the time we got everything sorted out. I made lunch and had time for a quick visit to the library & puzzle room before we picked up the group for a trip to an Eagles club to play bingo.
Bingo started at 3 and we had plenty of time to get cards and learn the ropes before it started. It was kind of expensive - $1 per card per game and $5 for the last game (10 games total) – but there were not too many players so the odds of winning were better than at big games I guess. Terry won one game ($50) and I split one win ($26.50) so we came out ahead but the rest of our group did not win. Pitchers of beer were only $3.25, the AC was nice & cool and Julie could smoke there so it was an OK activity.
Dinner & TV for the rest of the evening.
Oct 15th – Fri – Mesa
I vacuumed this morning while I was still in my sweaty workout clothes. We had our mail forwarded so we went through that and then made a trip to the bank, the grocery store and the produce market.
The temperature did not reach 100 today but it was still plenty warm and called for a trip to the pool. Billy & Lauri and Larry & Julie were shopping so we were out of the pool by the time Billy & Lauri headed over there.
At 4 we all went to an Octoberfest dinner & dance here at the park. Our rent package included 5 complementary parties and this was the first. There was a 2 man band – accordion & drums – that was very good. They played “oompa” music before dinner, switched to slower, quieter dinner music and then kicked it up again for dancing. Dinner was brats, hot potato salad, sauerkraut & German chocolate cake. We received 2 tickets each for wine or beer but then they just opened another keg of beer and more wine and opened up the bar. We danced until 7 when the band quit and by then most of the tables were totally cleared and stacked with chairs.
We make fun of the early hours kept by a lot of the residents of RV parks in the sun belt but we are picking up the habit. We went to bed at 8:30 to watch TV and I know Terry didn’t see the end of the program.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Oct 10th to 12th - Mesa
Oct 10th – Sun – Mesa
We made dinner for the group today so after the gym and posting the blog, we put a pork roast in the crock pot and then went to the produce market and a grocery store. I did some prep work, made lunch and then we hit the pool with everyone else.
We had time to set up tables and lights before our guests arrived for drinks & appetizers. We made bruschetta on the BBQ and Julie brought shrimp and homemade dipping sauce. Terry hung his fluorescent BBQ light under the sun shade so we were able to enjoy dinner outside in the cooler weather once the sun went down. The menu – pork roast with applesauce, Acorn squash, asparagus, cabbage/apple slaw, onion/poppy seed pull-apart bread and ginger cookie/whipped cream dessert. Is anyone hungry?!
Oct 11th – Mon – Mesa
After the gym, coffee & breakfast, Terry & I went to find a different K-Mart to see if they had another pair of clearance priced shorts for me as I love the ones I bought. We went all the way (9 miles?) to Tempe and then there was no store when Wanda said “arriving at Kmart on right”. Right across the street was a huge shopping center and we saw a JC Penney Outlet Store so we checked it out. Nothing there that we couldn’t pass up so we wandered down the mall a bit and realized we were at Arizona Mills Outlet Mall which I have heard of in previous visits.
Unfortunately, we were now close to a casino so we had to check it out. Probably won’t go back there as it didn’t take too long to lose our decreased allowance.
We had a snack, watched TV & were too lazy to go to the pool when we got back. Lauri & Julie went to the casino this morning to play bingo but didn’t win anything.
Larry & Billy came over for a drink and then it was just us for dinner & watching TV (DWTS for me of course). It cooled down enough to turn off the AC and open windows – very nice.
Oct 12th – Tues – Mesa
I went to the gym, did some work on the computer and then went back to the gym for a class by a trainer on using the equipment properly. Just after 10, “the group” piled into our truck for an outing – first to Goldfield which is a reconstructed western/mining town touristy place and then to Tortilla Flat for lunch. After lunch we continued 7 miles on the road past Tortilla Flat to a lookout point and took a little walk to admire the views. The road turned to bumpy gravel for the last 1 ½ miles and we were all glad that we were going back the same way rather than continuing on for the rest of the 20 miles of gravel. We stopped at a bar & restaurant called Filly’s for a cold beer and arrived back just after 4.
When I opened our 5th wheel, the heat hit me like a hammer. Terry had closed up the windows and turned on the AC when I was gone this morning but he didn’t put on glasses and read the setting so we had only the fan running while we were away. It was 105 inside! Terry went outside to watch TV but it was still too hot for me so I went to the puzzle room for a while and picked up another book from the library. With everything in the rig being so hot, it took the AC a long time to cool the place down so it was good thing that I could make leftovers for Terry for dinner and a big fruit salad for me.
We made dinner for the group today so after the gym and posting the blog, we put a pork roast in the crock pot and then went to the produce market and a grocery store. I did some prep work, made lunch and then we hit the pool with everyone else.
We had time to set up tables and lights before our guests arrived for drinks & appetizers. We made bruschetta on the BBQ and Julie brought shrimp and homemade dipping sauce. Terry hung his fluorescent BBQ light under the sun shade so we were able to enjoy dinner outside in the cooler weather once the sun went down. The menu – pork roast with applesauce, Acorn squash, asparagus, cabbage/apple slaw, onion/poppy seed pull-apart bread and ginger cookie/whipped cream dessert. Is anyone hungry?!
Oct 11th – Mon – Mesa
After the gym, coffee & breakfast, Terry & I went to find a different K-Mart to see if they had another pair of clearance priced shorts for me as I love the ones I bought. We went all the way (9 miles?) to Tempe and then there was no store when Wanda said “arriving at Kmart on right”. Right across the street was a huge shopping center and we saw a JC Penney Outlet Store so we checked it out. Nothing there that we couldn’t pass up so we wandered down the mall a bit and realized we were at Arizona Mills Outlet Mall which I have heard of in previous visits.
Unfortunately, we were now close to a casino so we had to check it out. Probably won’t go back there as it didn’t take too long to lose our decreased allowance.
We had a snack, watched TV & were too lazy to go to the pool when we got back. Lauri & Julie went to the casino this morning to play bingo but didn’t win anything.
Larry & Billy came over for a drink and then it was just us for dinner & watching TV (DWTS for me of course). It cooled down enough to turn off the AC and open windows – very nice.
Oct 12th – Tues – Mesa
I went to the gym, did some work on the computer and then went back to the gym for a class by a trainer on using the equipment properly. Just after 10, “the group” piled into our truck for an outing – first to Goldfield which is a reconstructed western/mining town touristy place and then to Tortilla Flat for lunch. After lunch we continued 7 miles on the road past Tortilla Flat to a lookout point and took a little walk to admire the views. The road turned to bumpy gravel for the last 1 ½ miles and we were all glad that we were going back the same way rather than continuing on for the rest of the 20 miles of gravel. We stopped at a bar & restaurant called Filly’s for a cold beer and arrived back just after 4.
When I opened our 5th wheel, the heat hit me like a hammer. Terry had closed up the windows and turned on the AC when I was gone this morning but he didn’t put on glasses and read the setting so we had only the fan running while we were away. It was 105 inside! Terry went outside to watch TV but it was still too hot for me so I went to the puzzle room for a while and picked up another book from the library. With everything in the rig being so hot, it took the AC a long time to cool the place down so it was good thing that I could make leftovers for Terry for dinner and a big fruit salad for me.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Oct 6th to 9th - Mesa
Oct 6th – Wed – Mesa
I skipped the gym this morning and took a bike ride with Terry all around the park to check on storm damage. One park model lost the carport and the entire roof from the Arizona room, part of which went over their house and onto the house next door. Parts of other awnings, skirting and window shades were blown away or damaged by hail. A lot of tree branches came down, some on RVs and vehicles. It was sunny and still somewhat cool when we were riding so there were lots of people out cleaning up the mess. During the day today, tornadoes hit the Flagstaff area north of here and caused a lot of damage including 30 RVs at Camping World RV Sales that were pretty much demolished with parts of them tossed onto I40. As I said before, the intensity of these storms is very unusual for this area and we hope they are done for the year.
Terry cleaned a large part of the 5th wheel with some cleaner (Purple Slice) that he got from the guy who did Bill’s wheel skirts. It is a waterless cleaner and did a good job of removing bugs and leaves a very nice shine. I worked on the blog, sorted clothes for the laundry and made breakfast.
We both went to do the laundry and when we were done, Bill & Lauri and Larry & Julie were back from the pool. So instead of going to the pool, we had lunch and then went to return an item to a store and get a few groceries. We also dropped off some clothes at Goodwill as we had to make room for the new clothes.
We went to Bill & Lauri’s for Happy Hour(s) until the sun crept around their rig and then we moved to our patio as it was now in the shade and we could watch the evening news outside on TV. Then a quiet evening of TV & reading.
Oct 7th – Thurs – Mesa
Terry & I went for coffee & doughnuts at the courtyard this morning – yes, I did go to the gym first! The calendar said 8:30 and when we arrived at 8:25 we got the last of the coffee & a seat in the sun as everyone was already there. Seems like you get there earlier and at 8:30 the manager & activities director do little updates & reports.
It had to happen – Terry got restless so we headed to Casino Arizona. We weren’t there very long when we both remembered why we didn’t like it. There are very few 1 cent machines for smaller gamblers like us and none seem to pay out enough to keep you going for a while. We had some points on our cards from previous visits so we were able to have an inexpensive buffet lunch.
When we had lunch, we kind of forgot that we were going to a steak fry for dinner here at the park so when we went to the pool I did a lot of paddling - rather than floating – to work up an appetite. About 160 people had signed up so the ballroom was full of tables. There were huge barbeques outside. As each table number was called, you paid & got your plate, went outside by one door, picked up your steak, went back in by another door and past a huge table with all the other “fixins” – salad, cooked vegetable medley, baked potatoes, rolls, corn on the cob and brownies & cookies for dessert. There was a very good singer (Rick Jones) for entertainment and we even danced a bit in small areas not covered with tables.
Oct 8th – Fri – Mesa
Terry cleaned more of the 5th wheel this morning. We went for a drive and then to Camping World for a couple of items. After lunch, we joined everyone at the pool – except for Julie as she was cooking. Turns out she was making stuffed peppers and had us and Bill & Lauri over for dinner. Their motor home faces the opposite way from us so they get shade all day except late in the afternoon. So I got our large tablecloth and some clothespins to block the sun for about 45 minutes until it went behind buildings.
Oct 9th – Sat – Mesa
We picked up Larry & Julie and Lauri to go to the flea market this morning. Bill was at a completion shoot. First we all went and had breakfast, then Julie had a pair of shoes to exchange and then we all wandered the aisles and each bought something of course. Larry & Julie got an ice maker as none of the Target stores here have any in stock.
After we dropped everyone off and hung up our new wall art, we went to Trader Joe’s for some bruschetta mix and then found a Big Lots that finally had the Anna’s cookies that we have been looking for. We had a snack when we got back and then just kicked back and watched TV.
The weather has cooled off a lot so once our patio was shaded by the neighbor’s house, we sat outside to boil ribs, watch TV and eat dinner.
I skipped the gym this morning and took a bike ride with Terry all around the park to check on storm damage. One park model lost the carport and the entire roof from the Arizona room, part of which went over their house and onto the house next door. Parts of other awnings, skirting and window shades were blown away or damaged by hail. A lot of tree branches came down, some on RVs and vehicles. It was sunny and still somewhat cool when we were riding so there were lots of people out cleaning up the mess. During the day today, tornadoes hit the Flagstaff area north of here and caused a lot of damage including 30 RVs at Camping World RV Sales that were pretty much demolished with parts of them tossed onto I40. As I said before, the intensity of these storms is very unusual for this area and we hope they are done for the year.
Terry cleaned a large part of the 5th wheel with some cleaner (Purple Slice) that he got from the guy who did Bill’s wheel skirts. It is a waterless cleaner and did a good job of removing bugs and leaves a very nice shine. I worked on the blog, sorted clothes for the laundry and made breakfast.
We both went to do the laundry and when we were done, Bill & Lauri and Larry & Julie were back from the pool. So instead of going to the pool, we had lunch and then went to return an item to a store and get a few groceries. We also dropped off some clothes at Goodwill as we had to make room for the new clothes.
We went to Bill & Lauri’s for Happy Hour(s) until the sun crept around their rig and then we moved to our patio as it was now in the shade and we could watch the evening news outside on TV. Then a quiet evening of TV & reading.
Oct 7th – Thurs – Mesa
Terry & I went for coffee & doughnuts at the courtyard this morning – yes, I did go to the gym first! The calendar said 8:30 and when we arrived at 8:25 we got the last of the coffee & a seat in the sun as everyone was already there. Seems like you get there earlier and at 8:30 the manager & activities director do little updates & reports.
It had to happen – Terry got restless so we headed to Casino Arizona. We weren’t there very long when we both remembered why we didn’t like it. There are very few 1 cent machines for smaller gamblers like us and none seem to pay out enough to keep you going for a while. We had some points on our cards from previous visits so we were able to have an inexpensive buffet lunch.
When we had lunch, we kind of forgot that we were going to a steak fry for dinner here at the park so when we went to the pool I did a lot of paddling - rather than floating – to work up an appetite. About 160 people had signed up so the ballroom was full of tables. There were huge barbeques outside. As each table number was called, you paid & got your plate, went outside by one door, picked up your steak, went back in by another door and past a huge table with all the other “fixins” – salad, cooked vegetable medley, baked potatoes, rolls, corn on the cob and brownies & cookies for dessert. There was a very good singer (Rick Jones) for entertainment and we even danced a bit in small areas not covered with tables.
Oct 8th – Fri – Mesa
Terry cleaned more of the 5th wheel this morning. We went for a drive and then to Camping World for a couple of items. After lunch, we joined everyone at the pool – except for Julie as she was cooking. Turns out she was making stuffed peppers and had us and Bill & Lauri over for dinner. Their motor home faces the opposite way from us so they get shade all day except late in the afternoon. So I got our large tablecloth and some clothespins to block the sun for about 45 minutes until it went behind buildings.
Oct 9th – Sat – Mesa
We picked up Larry & Julie and Lauri to go to the flea market this morning. Bill was at a completion shoot. First we all went and had breakfast, then Julie had a pair of shoes to exchange and then we all wandered the aisles and each bought something of course. Larry & Julie got an ice maker as none of the Target stores here have any in stock.
After we dropped everyone off and hung up our new wall art, we went to Trader Joe’s for some bruschetta mix and then found a Big Lots that finally had the Anna’s cookies that we have been looking for. We had a snack when we got back and then just kicked back and watched TV.
The weather has cooled off a lot so once our patio was shaded by the neighbor’s house, we sat outside to boil ribs, watch TV and eat dinner.
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Oct 3rd to 5th - Mesa
Oct 3rd – Sun – Mesa
When I returned from the gym, I set up the chairs as all the clouds & winds were gone. But the dust & rain made a mess of the truck so after coffee(s) and breakfast, Terry got ambitious and cleaned it up. I felt guilty just working on the computer so I vacuumed and did other small cleaning projects.
When we were done, we headed to the pool to cool off where we were joined by Bill & Lauri and Larry & Julie. People have been arriving at the park for the winter so other people were there for a change. About 3:30, Terry & I were preparing to leave and have a late lunch/early dinner when Bill asked if we wanted to go to the Organ Stop Pizza. We came back & checked the restaurant hours on the computer and decided we’d pick everyone up at 5:15. The Wurlitzer performance & pizza was excellent again.
I had sliced up our remaining strawberries so we all had strawberry shortcake afterwards.
Oct 4th – Mon - Mesa
We had a couple of errands this morning and then stopped at K-Mart to look at some clearance clothes on racks outside. We had been there a few days before but it was well over 100 degrees so looking at clothes outside was not an option. Today, all the clearance items were marked down to $1.99. I got 5 polo shirts & 2 pairs of shorts, Terry got 2 shirts, a pair of shorts and swim shorts – all for $23.87!! Now we have to get rid of some items to make room. We also checked a couple of Target stores to see if they had an ice maker for Julie (no luck).
We took advantage of our coupon book for a late lunch and came back in time to watch it rain again. Lauri invited us all over for dinner so we went there about 6 and sat outside for a drink. They decided we would eat outside and had just set the tables when it started to rain. So a quick change of plans and a move inside for dinner.
Later I walked to the library to borrow a book. It seems smart to use the library books here and save mine for later. I got sidetracked and worked on a fairly easy jigsaw puzzle for a short time. Will have to get back to it later.
Oct 5th – Tues – Mesa
I had a nice long chat with sister Marg this morning and Terry went to the office to get tickets for a steak fry on Thursday. Terry was playing games on the computer when Bill came over to say that a couple was making tire shades for his motor home and said we might want to watch the process. It was interesting. They set up a table & sewing machine behind their van and then the guy measured, cut and installed snaps and the woman sewed the shades. I worked on Lauri’s computer to fix some of the havoc caused by her grandson.
We joined Bill & Lauri on a trip to Costco and had hot dogs for lunch. We stopped at K-Mart so Bill & Lauri could check out the $1.99 items. Terry found 4 more t-shirts, Bill got some shorts and they had both checked out. Then Lauri found a couple of items and I picked up some eye drops for Terry so Bill & I were standing in the checkout line again when the lights went out & right back on. We looked outside and there was a huge storm in progress – high wind, rain, hail & lightning. At some points you could not see across the parking lot. Of course, the computers went down with the power drop and just as they were coming back up, the power went off & on again so back to square one. It didn’t really matter that we were waiting in line as we didn’t want to walk to the car anyhow.
Bill tried to avoid the deepest puddles on the way back and the roads in the park looked bad but the water was not deep.
We dumped water out of chairs, straightened the mat and picked up garbage cans & bicycles. It was still early so we went to the puzzle room and worked on the puzzle that I discovered last night. Then it was time for a drink & dinner.
About 9 another storm hit – wind, rain, hail & constant lightning & thunder. There was a lot of coverage of the storms on the news with people saying they had lived here for up to 40 years and had not seen such bad storms.
When I returned from the gym, I set up the chairs as all the clouds & winds were gone. But the dust & rain made a mess of the truck so after coffee(s) and breakfast, Terry got ambitious and cleaned it up. I felt guilty just working on the computer so I vacuumed and did other small cleaning projects.
When we were done, we headed to the pool to cool off where we were joined by Bill & Lauri and Larry & Julie. People have been arriving at the park for the winter so other people were there for a change. About 3:30, Terry & I were preparing to leave and have a late lunch/early dinner when Bill asked if we wanted to go to the Organ Stop Pizza. We came back & checked the restaurant hours on the computer and decided we’d pick everyone up at 5:15. The Wurlitzer performance & pizza was excellent again.
I had sliced up our remaining strawberries so we all had strawberry shortcake afterwards.
Oct 4th – Mon - Mesa
We had a couple of errands this morning and then stopped at K-Mart to look at some clearance clothes on racks outside. We had been there a few days before but it was well over 100 degrees so looking at clothes outside was not an option. Today, all the clearance items were marked down to $1.99. I got 5 polo shirts & 2 pairs of shorts, Terry got 2 shirts, a pair of shorts and swim shorts – all for $23.87!! Now we have to get rid of some items to make room. We also checked a couple of Target stores to see if they had an ice maker for Julie (no luck).
We took advantage of our coupon book for a late lunch and came back in time to watch it rain again. Lauri invited us all over for dinner so we went there about 6 and sat outside for a drink. They decided we would eat outside and had just set the tables when it started to rain. So a quick change of plans and a move inside for dinner.
Later I walked to the library to borrow a book. It seems smart to use the library books here and save mine for later. I got sidetracked and worked on a fairly easy jigsaw puzzle for a short time. Will have to get back to it later.
Oct 5th – Tues – Mesa
I had a nice long chat with sister Marg this morning and Terry went to the office to get tickets for a steak fry on Thursday. Terry was playing games on the computer when Bill came over to say that a couple was making tire shades for his motor home and said we might want to watch the process. It was interesting. They set up a table & sewing machine behind their van and then the guy measured, cut and installed snaps and the woman sewed the shades. I worked on Lauri’s computer to fix some of the havoc caused by her grandson.
We joined Bill & Lauri on a trip to Costco and had hot dogs for lunch. We stopped at K-Mart so Bill & Lauri could check out the $1.99 items. Terry found 4 more t-shirts, Bill got some shorts and they had both checked out. Then Lauri found a couple of items and I picked up some eye drops for Terry so Bill & I were standing in the checkout line again when the lights went out & right back on. We looked outside and there was a huge storm in progress – high wind, rain, hail & lightning. At some points you could not see across the parking lot. Of course, the computers went down with the power drop and just as they were coming back up, the power went off & on again so back to square one. It didn’t really matter that we were waiting in line as we didn’t want to walk to the car anyhow.
Bill tried to avoid the deepest puddles on the way back and the roads in the park looked bad but the water was not deep.
We dumped water out of chairs, straightened the mat and picked up garbage cans & bicycles. It was still early so we went to the puzzle room and worked on the puzzle that I discovered last night. Then it was time for a drink & dinner.
About 9 another storm hit – wind, rain, hail & constant lightning & thunder. There was a lot of coverage of the storms on the news with people saying they had lived here for up to 40 years and had not seen such bad storms.
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Sept 30th to Oct 2nd - Mesa
Sept 30th – Thurs – Mesa
After the gym and breakfast, we loaded our group of 6 in the truck this morning and went to the Fort McDowell casino to play bingo. We had enough time before bingo started at 12:30 to lose some money on the slots! 5 of us played bingo and no one won anything!! We used the totally automated bingo machines which are a little boring. People read & knit to pass the time. After bingo, we played slots a bit more and then lined up for the prime rib buffet special. The food was not exceptional but good enough that we all ate too much.
Oct 1st – Fri – Mesa
Gym, coffee and then we set up and scanned in more photos from our albums. We were working on the first album and the pictures were stuck pretty well which made Terry’s job of removing them take longer – but he could still keep up with me renaming & moving them.
We finished the album and went out for a late lunch. We stopped at the fruit & vegetable market – cantaloupe 3 for $1, strawberries 3# for $1 - then cooled off in the pool of course. Terry played Hand & Foot Canasta at 7. The rules are very different from the ones we learned from Pat & Rick. When he returned just before 9, we had large strawberry shortcakes for dinner.
Oct 2nd – Sat – Mesa
We went fairly early for our first trip to the Flea Market as it is supposed to reach 106 again today. We had breakfast there and walked up & down every row which ends up being about 2 miles as I think each of the 4 rows is ¼ of a mile long. We bought a few items and got back about lunch time.
Billy stopped by to say they were heading to the pool and we joined them after the Ryder Cup (golf) finished for the day about 3:00. One of our purchases at the Flea Market was wireless headphones for hard of hearing husbands – Bill, Larry & Tom - to use when watching TV so the sound does not blast out the wives. Well, we couldn’t figure out how to get them to work except by using the headphone plug which turns off the regular sound. The vendor where we bought them had not used them but I think we will have to take them back and see if he can help us figure it out since his booth is computers & a few TVs.
Just before I was ready to cook dinner, a dust storm moved in. Terry was outside and folded up the chairs and removed the top of the sun shelter so the wind would not blow it away. Bill & Lauri were over at Larry & Julie’s helping them do the same thing. There was quite a bit of sheet lightning and a downpour about 9:30.
After the gym and breakfast, we loaded our group of 6 in the truck this morning and went to the Fort McDowell casino to play bingo. We had enough time before bingo started at 12:30 to lose some money on the slots! 5 of us played bingo and no one won anything!! We used the totally automated bingo machines which are a little boring. People read & knit to pass the time. After bingo, we played slots a bit more and then lined up for the prime rib buffet special. The food was not exceptional but good enough that we all ate too much.
Oct 1st – Fri – Mesa
Gym, coffee and then we set up and scanned in more photos from our albums. We were working on the first album and the pictures were stuck pretty well which made Terry’s job of removing them take longer – but he could still keep up with me renaming & moving them.
We finished the album and went out for a late lunch. We stopped at the fruit & vegetable market – cantaloupe 3 for $1, strawberries 3# for $1 - then cooled off in the pool of course. Terry played Hand & Foot Canasta at 7. The rules are very different from the ones we learned from Pat & Rick. When he returned just before 9, we had large strawberry shortcakes for dinner.
Oct 2nd – Sat – Mesa
We went fairly early for our first trip to the Flea Market as it is supposed to reach 106 again today. We had breakfast there and walked up & down every row which ends up being about 2 miles as I think each of the 4 rows is ¼ of a mile long. We bought a few items and got back about lunch time.
Billy stopped by to say they were heading to the pool and we joined them after the Ryder Cup (golf) finished for the day about 3:00. One of our purchases at the Flea Market was wireless headphones for hard of hearing husbands – Bill, Larry & Tom - to use when watching TV so the sound does not blast out the wives. Well, we couldn’t figure out how to get them to work except by using the headphone plug which turns off the regular sound. The vendor where we bought them had not used them but I think we will have to take them back and see if he can help us figure it out since his booth is computers & a few TVs.
Just before I was ready to cook dinner, a dust storm moved in. Terry was outside and folded up the chairs and removed the top of the sun shelter so the wind would not blow it away. Bill & Lauri were over at Larry & Julie’s helping them do the same thing. There was quite a bit of sheet lightning and a downpour about 9:30.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Sept 26th to 29th - Mesa
Sept 26th – Sun – Mesa
I thought I mentioned this previously in the blog but apparently not – we are going to be staying here in Mesa for about 3 months. The CalAm group of RV parks has a special from Sept 20th to Jan 2nd for $795 and we thought it would be a way to cut down on expenses for a while.
We rode our bikes to check out the amenities this morning. There are indoor & outdoor pools & spas, a huge library, a room just for making jigsaw puzzles, card rooms, ballroom, meeting rooms, outdoor bar & stage with covered seating, a couple of laundry rooms, woodshop, lapidary, miniature golf, tennis courts, fitness room, US post office and, of course, guest services offices. The RV park is actually 4 different areas and some of the other areas have pools, laundry rooms & activity areas which we all can use.
We made a trip to Costco to replenish Terry’s Scotch supply at $13.99 for 1.75 liters. Just had to include this information for our Canadian friends who pay so much more for alcohol. Costco now has their pumpkin pies in stock so we had to get one and then make another stop at WalMart for the whipped cream to go with it. When we returned, we hit the pool to cool off. Before I got wet, I went to the puzzle room for a while.
Dinner tonight was at Larry & Julie’s. We all took hamburgers for the BBQ and we had lots of leftovers from last night’s dinner as well as the pie for dessert. Larry & Julie have a 7 month old Schitzu puppy named Bandit so I could get my dog fix.
Sept 27th – Mon – Mesa
Blog entries are going to be slightly repetitive while we are in Mesa but I will probably still do an entry for each day.
I got up early and went to the fitness center for about ½ hour. I don’t want to do too much and end up with sore muscles. A bit later, we went to the office to register as the office is not yet open on the weekends. We bought a laundry card, picked up our mail box key at the post office and checked the activities office to see what was going on.
Next we sorted out clothes and went to the large, spotless laundry room. The washers are all front loaders which spin the clothes so dry that we didn’t use all the time on any dryer.
After lunch, we went to the pool. Again, I started in the puzzle room.
We are facing east and don’t get usable shade from our awning so we bought a free-standing sun shade at WalMart and placed it beside the back part of our 5th wheel. This will give us some late afternoon shade which is mandatory to sit out with the weather as hot as it is. This heat wave is supposed to ease by the end of the week.
Larry & Julie and Bill joined us for happy hour and then we all went our own way for dinner & TV.
Sept 28th – Tues – Mesa
Terry joined me at the gym this morning but I don’t think it will be something that he continues. Then we went for a long bike ride around the park and spent time inside before heading to a different swimming pool which has salt water. It is quite a bit cooler so you have to ease in after getting very hot in the sun.
After lunch, we went shopping for a few items and spent a lot of time at Hobby Lobby just looking around at the myriad of items that they carry.
We sat outside for a while before dinner but it was very warm when the slight breeze would die down.
Sept 29th – Wed – Mesa
After my gym visit & cool down this morning, Terry & I went out for breakfast and shopping. We bought a coupon book with a lot of 2 for 1 restaurant offers and used one today at what turned out to be a nice, clean place (Mickey D’s). We shopped at a few places including Camping World which is just down the street from the RV park.
Next to the salt water pool where Larry & Julie were cooling off and Bill & Lauri had just left for lunch. We didn’t stay too long as the group was going to a nearby Elks’ club to drink beer in an air conditioned building as the hot weather continues. We made use of the bench seat in the truck to fit all 6 of us for the short trip – nice!
We all stopped off at “home” to grab drinks & snacks-for-dinner and went to Bill & Lauri’s motorhome to continue the fun.
I thought I mentioned this previously in the blog but apparently not – we are going to be staying here in Mesa for about 3 months. The CalAm group of RV parks has a special from Sept 20th to Jan 2nd for $795 and we thought it would be a way to cut down on expenses for a while.
We rode our bikes to check out the amenities this morning. There are indoor & outdoor pools & spas, a huge library, a room just for making jigsaw puzzles, card rooms, ballroom, meeting rooms, outdoor bar & stage with covered seating, a couple of laundry rooms, woodshop, lapidary, miniature golf, tennis courts, fitness room, US post office and, of course, guest services offices. The RV park is actually 4 different areas and some of the other areas have pools, laundry rooms & activity areas which we all can use.
We made a trip to Costco to replenish Terry’s Scotch supply at $13.99 for 1.75 liters. Just had to include this information for our Canadian friends who pay so much more for alcohol. Costco now has their pumpkin pies in stock so we had to get one and then make another stop at WalMart for the whipped cream to go with it. When we returned, we hit the pool to cool off. Before I got wet, I went to the puzzle room for a while.
Dinner tonight was at Larry & Julie’s. We all took hamburgers for the BBQ and we had lots of leftovers from last night’s dinner as well as the pie for dessert. Larry & Julie have a 7 month old Schitzu puppy named Bandit so I could get my dog fix.
Sept 27th – Mon – Mesa
Blog entries are going to be slightly repetitive while we are in Mesa but I will probably still do an entry for each day.
I got up early and went to the fitness center for about ½ hour. I don’t want to do too much and end up with sore muscles. A bit later, we went to the office to register as the office is not yet open on the weekends. We bought a laundry card, picked up our mail box key at the post office and checked the activities office to see what was going on.
Next we sorted out clothes and went to the large, spotless laundry room. The washers are all front loaders which spin the clothes so dry that we didn’t use all the time on any dryer.
After lunch, we went to the pool. Again, I started in the puzzle room.
We are facing east and don’t get usable shade from our awning so we bought a free-standing sun shade at WalMart and placed it beside the back part of our 5th wheel. This will give us some late afternoon shade which is mandatory to sit out with the weather as hot as it is. This heat wave is supposed to ease by the end of the week.
Larry & Julie and Bill joined us for happy hour and then we all went our own way for dinner & TV.
Sept 28th – Tues – Mesa
Terry joined me at the gym this morning but I don’t think it will be something that he continues. Then we went for a long bike ride around the park and spent time inside before heading to a different swimming pool which has salt water. It is quite a bit cooler so you have to ease in after getting very hot in the sun.
After lunch, we went shopping for a few items and spent a lot of time at Hobby Lobby just looking around at the myriad of items that they carry.
We sat outside for a while before dinner but it was very warm when the slight breeze would die down.
Sept 29th – Wed – Mesa
After my gym visit & cool down this morning, Terry & I went out for breakfast and shopping. We bought a coupon book with a lot of 2 for 1 restaurant offers and used one today at what turned out to be a nice, clean place (Mickey D’s). We shopped at a few places including Camping World which is just down the street from the RV park.
Next to the salt water pool where Larry & Julie were cooling off and Bill & Lauri had just left for lunch. We didn’t stay too long as the group was going to a nearby Elks’ club to drink beer in an air conditioned building as the hot weather continues. We made use of the bench seat in the truck to fit all 6 of us for the short trip – nice!
We all stopped off at “home” to grab drinks & snacks-for-dinner and went to Bill & Lauri’s motorhome to continue the fun.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)