Nov 26th to 30th - Mesa

Nov 26th – Sat
We went early to WalMart to get groceries and a cable for the new TV. Turned out we didn’t need the cable, just switched around the existing leads so Terry took the cable back. After breakfast Terry helped Moe again with his TV and I made an apple tart and did some cleaning. We were expecting my cousin Pat and her husband Rick today but weren’t sure what time. Pat called Terry using Skype a couple of days ago and the voice quality wasn’t very good so he just knew they would get here this afternoon and stay 2 nights.
Dennis & Gloria were visiting when Pat & Rick arrived just after 4. We got them parked right next to us and got happy hour going. Julie joined us for a while before I made dinner for us and Pat & Rick. We were relaxing after dinner when Ernie & Dianne stopped by. They, Julie and Dennis & Gloria met Pat & Rick this year on Jan 1st so friendships were renewed.

Nov 27th – Sun
Pat & I went to Kohl’s – Pat got some good buys! - while Rick & Terry went to Camping World. We met back at the park where we made a quick lunch and then we all went to the Mesa Marketplace where Pat & Rick picked up several items that they were looking for. We made a quick stop at Costco on the way back to buy hard-boiled, peeled eggs that I ended up not needing as Dianne brought deviled eggs to our get together at 3.
Larry & Julie, Dennis & Gloria, Neal, Moe, Billy & Lauri and Ernie & Dianne all came for the Appy Happy Hour(s). After a few people left, we made the circle smaller and lit a buddy burner. The day was beautiful but it cools down quickly when the sun sets. We moved inside with Rick & Pat at 7 to watch a couple of TV shows that Pat likes.
I made a quick stir fry for dinner for Rick, Terry & I. Pat is successfully dieting and had enough appetizers to serve as dinner.

Nov 28th – Mon
We took Rick & Pat to visit Julie & Larry and Ernie & Dianne and go through their park models. R&P picked up some books at the library and pulled out about 10:30 for their next stay in Tucson.
Terry helped Moe finish his TV installation while I puttered around and worked on the computer. It was another lovely day so Moe bought us burgers for lunch at the courtyard. We were very lazy the rest of the day and didn’t even go to line dancing lessons.

Nov 29th – Tues
We went on a bus trip to Bucky’s casino in Prescott. We were walking with Dennis & Gloria to the boarding spot at the Fiesta flag poles when the buses came towards us down the wrong road. The gate attendant sent them to the main flag poles so we got on the bus and directed the driver out the main entrance and back around to the gate they used originally for the easiest way to Fiesta. We stayed on the bus and got good seats at the front.
We arrived at Prescott at 10, got our players’ cards and hit the slots. At noon we picked up our bag lunches and discovered that the people on the 3rd bus had just got through the line at the players’ club. At 3:30 we took the bus downtown and shopped a bit with Dennis & Gloria. We had ordered dinner in the Office restaurant when we saw Dan & Carol and Moe on the other side of the street. They had looked in the restaurant but couldn’t see us behind a booth. We changed to a larger table and they joined us. They even got their dinner before we did – more of the bad luck that we experienced at the slots!
We got back on the bus at 5:30, picked up gamblers at the casino and were at the park at 8 after going through the Valley of Lights. The easiest gate was locked so we had to circle around to the main gate. The driver stopped in front of the office before going to Fiesta so we had a shorter walk home. The other buses didn’t let anyone off until they were at the Fiesta flag poles.

Nov 30th – Wed
We played bocce ball this morning in absolutely beautiful weather. Unfortunately, the forecast is for cooling and rain. I made breakfast for lunch and then we went visiting on our bikes. I had Terry pull out the bin with our few Christmas decorations and I put up garlands and our little fiber optic tree.
We were talking with Duane & Sue when Moe tracked us down and asked to use a phone. Gloria showed up and said Dennis was not feeling well so she was trying to find someone to use his Poker Run ticket. We talked Moe into borrowing Dennis’ bike and going with us.
The Poker Run started at 3 in the courtyard where we got instructions and our first card. There were 3 stops (with wine & snacks) to get cards. At the miniature golf course, you had to get a hole in one to get a card. At the bocce ball courts a group of 4 or 5 had to throw balls with the person closest to the yellow ball getting a card. This was repeated until everyone in the group had a card.
We finished at the courtyard with our final card, hot dogs & beer. The best hand received $40, $30 for second and $20 for third. This was the first poker run in the park so the activity director asked everyone for ideas for changes for the next one. We and 8 others tried out the new comfy wicker furniture grouping by the pool and lit the “gas & glass” fire pit in the center of the table.
We dropped off our bikes, made a drink and went with Moe to Duane & Sue’s. Friends of theirs arrived today and were there for dinner. Before we knew it, Sue had thawed out extra steaks and made dinner for all of us.
We moved back outside and Terry got a buddy burner going. I was getting cold and had enough to drink so I came home at 9:15. Terry finally came home at 12:45 when I had had just enough sleep to lay awake for a long time.

Dec 1 – I am no longer able to modify entries after I post them so on the 26th when I actually did post the 22nd to the 25th, I deleted, changed and re-added the 19th to the 21st. I was sure I checked that both entries were there but maybe I didn’t check or something happened with 2 posts so close together. Sorry Georgia & Claude and anyone else who wondered why there was such a long gap!!!!