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!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
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.
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