Jan 30th to Feb 1st - Mesa

Jan 30^th – Wed

We went grocery shopping after having a late breakfast.  I did some dinner prep while Terry went for a bike ride around the park.  We set up a folding table inside for dinner and set it and the regular table with 3 places at each.

We went to listen to music in the courtyard just before 3.  It was nice enough to not even take a jacket but we definitely wanted to sit in a sunny spot. Terry joined a few line dances and I did one.  I just get lazy sometimes.  We also danced a couple of two-step dances and now have people wanting us to teach them.

I came home when the music ended at 5 and Terry followed shortly after with our dinner guests – Dennis & Gloria and Ron & Terri.  I cooked some of the remaining halibut that we caught in Alaska and everyone enjoyed it.  I made my “Anna’s Ginger Cookies” dessert which was also a hit.  Darlene & Bev came over to visit as Bob & Brian went to a hockey game.  They stayed for a couple glasses of wine which was flowing freely!  A great evening ended about 11:30.

Jan 31^st – Thurs

We redeemed Visa points for cash and decided to use it for something specific rather than buying groceries, etc.  So we went shopping for a barbeque.  Our old one, which has served us well for at least 7 years, still works but only on high.  We got another Weber Q at an Ace Hardware.  Across the street was a Tuesday Morning store where I had to wander up & down all the aisles and bought a sheet set.

We went to McDonalds for a late lunch and ran into Chuck & Echo who thought they were leaving tomorrow but were confused on the date and had to pay for one more day.  We had a nice chat with them as we ate.  We had time to put the BBQ together before going to Vic & Jackie’s for happy hour.  Also there were Emery & Pat (next door neighbors), Moe & Trish and Heinz & Joan who just arrived and are friends of Vic & Jackie.  We had “heavy” appies and lots of laughs.  We, Moe & Trish, Emery and of course Vic & Jackie moved inside when it got too cool outside.  When we walked home, Moe & Trish insisted we come in for a nightcap.

Feb 1^st – Fri

I am happy that we didn’t have to line up for dance tickets this morning.  We got tickets last month for Dennis & Gloria so Gloria was getting our tickets today.  The security guard would not open the community center doors so people waited outside until 5:30.  Then no one would open the ballroom doors – where chairs were set up for the waiting line – so people were sitting on the floor in the hallway.  Quite a mess!  And to make it even worse, someone took 2 tickets from the table where the first people in line – our group – wanted seats.  This all sounds petty but until the park builds a planned, bigger ballroom the system probably won’t change.

We spent the morning riding on our bikes and visiting with friends as the sunshine was lovely.  About 2 I made a very light lunch from leftovers and then we went to the courtyard.   There was no scheduled music but a guy started playing the guitar & singing – badly!  We sat with a group on the comfy couches by the pool and had a drink.

I left earlier than the rest and came home to read as I have a book to finish & return to Trish before she leaves.  And sometimes I just get “peopled out”.  Dennis & Gloria joined Ron & Terri next door for a drink outside, Terry returned and joined them and then I put down my book and went over when they started making some kind of plans.  Dennis & Ginger on the other side of Ron & Terri and Duane & Sue pulled chairs over for a while.  Then a group that went to the Phoenix Open came back and stopped on the street.  Seven people – Rick & Vi, Bruce & Ann, Bob & Darlene and Brad piled out of the truck and the party moved into the street with everyone standing now.  Brad has been waiting for a tire to be delivered (the other 3 were here a long time ago!) and the UPS driver saw the group, parked at the end of the street and carried the package the rest of the way.  He was very surprised when Brad gave him an enthusiastic hug to thank him for finally delivering the tire.

Terry was very responsible and only had a couple of drinks so he was the driver for us, Dennis & Gloria and Ron & Terri to go to a Chinese buffet for dinner.  Ron & Terri have never been to this place and were very pleasantly surprised by the food and service.  They came over for a nightcap before we all called it a day.