Jan 11th to 13th - Mesa

Jan 11^th – Fri

Terry & Judy invited us to join a group at the Organ Stop Pizza for a tour & lunch but we had to cancel as we were waiting for the guy to replace our hot water tank.  We made a trip for a few groceries and later Terry took the truck to be washed.  Dennis & Gloria brought over an electric roaster and said they were going for a burger about 4 so we decided to join them.  Darlene invited Larry & Julie over for dinner – Julie’s first outing since she was in the hospital – so a group stopped by to say hi as they were sitting outside in the sun.

Dennis & Gloria picked us up and we went to the Village Inn for a burger.  We packed up our booze bag and a snack and went to the ballroom for a Toga Party where we were joined by Larry & Suz.  But we are costume grinchs and didn’t wear togas!  It was a private party hosted by Bob & Liz and Margaret & Lou and featured chariot races, a dance contest and an all-female band – the Cactus Cowgirls.

We just arrived and made a drink (5:30) when Terry got a call from the repair guy saying he was here and ready to put in the new tank!  So Terry missed most of the party.  I danced a few line dances and we had a few more dances when Terry got back at 8 for the last hour of the party which was also a fund raiser for the Sunshine Acres orphanage.

Larry & Suz came back with us for a nightcap.  When they left I remembered that I better go across the road to get my second roaster for tomorrow.  It was 10:30 and I was sneaking onto Deb’s patio with a flashlight when Moe, Trish, Duane & Sue came back from an evening at the Arizona Opry.  Of course they asked to join them for another nightcap and of course we said yes!  It was a good thing that we turned on our electric mattress pad before we left as it was pretty cold in the rig when we got back at 12:30.

Jan 12^th – Sat

I’m not sure we could cram much more into a day than we did today.

We started out by putting 2 turkeys into electric roasters that we borrowed from neighbors.  Then we went for breakfast in the ballroom at 8:40.  It started at 8:30 and there were a lot of people seated & eating and still a huge line in the hall.  Once we got into the ballroom, there was a line all the way down one side to the serving tables.  We got our food about 9:15.

Shortly after we got back, the Party Wagon was delivered to our site.  You can reserve the trailer for any function and it contains tables, chairs, safety cones and a coffee urn if desired.  Terry hung around outside chatting with neighbors and I stayed warm inside.  It was 28 degrees this morning.  Our neighbors were due to arrive today but luckily they did not show up so we were able to use their site – in the sunshine!! – for our dinner at 3:30.   Terry and his helpers set up 6 tables with chairs on the neighbor’s site and 3 tables on our parking spot for the food.  I made turkey and gravy and everyone else brought food.  The food was very good and the group of 33 friends was wonderful.  The sun went down about 5:15 and the temperature dropped immediately.  It didn’t take long for the remainder of the people to leave.

But we aren’t done yet.  At 6:45 we went to the ballroom for a dance with North Star playing.  24 of us that had dinner together were at the dance and mostly sitting side by side at 3 tables.  Good thing we all get along so well!  Julie is doing well and was at both the dinner and the dance.  Terry invited someone over for a nightcap but luckily everyone was as tired as I was so no one accepted the offer.

Jan 13^th – Sun

I made a late breakfast and we went to a casino for a while.  As we were leaving, Trish asked us to come for happy hour so that gave us a deadline to leave the casino.  Terry won $150 shortly after we arrived and then I won $50 to cover my losses so far and then some.  It was kind of nice as we could play for a few more hours and still come out ahead.

We got home about 3:30, made an appetizer and a drink and went to Moe & Trish’s.  We were joined shortly after by Dennis & Gloria and Bruce & Ann.  We had a great time as usual and about 8 I suggested that we could have turkey sandwiches for dinner.  Gloria headed home to get leftover buns, pickles and chips and I brought back turkey and coleslaw.  Trish pulled out Moe’s homemade cranberry sauce, buns, bread and mayo and we had the makings of a fine dinner.  I’m not sure how it got started but we decided to plan our first annual BBQ Fest so Trish got out her trusty IPad and started the guest and food lists.

We were home by 9:30 and hit the sack.