Feb 2nd to 4th - Mesa

Feb 2^nd – Sat

Darlene put together a group of 20 friends to play golf but of course Terry can’t play right now with his hand wrapped up.  I was going to play golf with Dennis & Gloria but Gloria called the golf course and found that they had put another couple with them.  D&G don’t want to play with others as they are just getting back into golf so Gloria told the course to just cancel their tee time.  A short time after she called with this information Dennis called to see if we wanted to go to the Mesa Marketplace so we finished an errand of getting water and picking up our mail and went with them.

On the way out I reminded D&G that they wanted to get something to hang outside on their shed wall to add some color and we needed a new 6 deck card shuffler as ours isn’t working as well as it once did.  We got both of these items and D&G bought other items as well.  I love helping other people spend their money!!

It was 1:30 by the time we left and we were all hungry.  We settled on CiCi’s pizza buffet which was new to D&G.  They don’t put a lot of toppings on their pizzas but we were all full when we were done.  We tried out the new shuffler and found that one side did not work so we went right back to the Marketplace which is several miles away.  We stopped for a few groceries on the way back.

Dennis & Gloria joined us for a while to watch the Phoenix Open on the TV outside.  They were replaced by Duane & Sue and then Ron joined us.  I made a salad & chicken snacks for dinner which we finished just in time to go to a dance.  The band was good but we sat out more songs than usual.  After a very abrupt end of music at 10, a few of us went to Ron & Terri’s for a nightcap.  Ron made very good coffee drinks which I really enjoyed.  No, the caffeine did not keep me awake!

Feb 3^rd – Sun

We had a lazy morning watching the Phoenix Open and messing around on the computer.  Terry had to pull the chairs under the awning for a very short rain shower.  I made a big breakfast for lunch. 

At 1:00 we went to the Rancho’s courtyard by the pool to listen to music by Ernie & friends.  His friend Doug (who is staying here) played & sang with 2 of his sisters who came from Yuma with their husbands.  Duane joined the group as well.  We helped Brad & Clare learn the 2 step and it was great to see them unselfconsciously trying in front of a small crowd.  We even did a few line dances.  It was sunny but not too hot.

We left just after 3, put together an appetizer and went across the street to Don & Deb’s for a Super Bowl party.  By now a light jacket was required by most people.  Deb, Lorraine & Bev set out a big dinner at halftime – ham, chili, ribs, scalloped potatoes, salad, pulled pork & more.  Darlene passed around little brownie bites for dessert. 

It did sprinkle on us a few times and everyone broke out their umbrellas.  I left early to enjoy the last of the game inside.

Feb 4^th – Mon

Bright & sunny!  I got an email early this morning from Gloria saying she was sick with the crud that has been going around and she would not be able to cook ribs for our party this afternoon.  I said I could do 2 more racks and she got Bruce to do the other.  So I spent the morning boiling ribs.  We made a quick trip on our bikes to Albertsons for tonic.

About 12:30 we started loading the truck – BBQ, place settings, booze bag, misc cooking equipment.  We also took friends’ stuff so they could just ride their bikes to Rancho’s entertainment patio.  The party was our “First Annual Rib Fest” which 4 couples planned after an evening of drinks!  We were supposed to have 4 couples cooking ribs and the other 12 couples brought everything else – salads, beans, bread, dessert.

Ernie & Dianne brought their sound equipment so we had live music for dancing.  Duane, Doug & Bruce joined in with their guitars and Darlene sang a couple of songs.  Terry & Bruce cooked ribs on the park BBQ and on ours.  Gloria & I made plastic rib bibs which I fastened on everyone as they lined up for dinner.  We all had a wonderful time with good food & great friends.

Shortly after we got home and unloaded the truck, Ron & Terri started on a walk and asked if we wanted to join them so we did.  It was a quick walk around the perimeter of our section of the park and it was still warm enough that Terry & I didn’t put on jackets.