Nov 25th to 27th - Mesa

Nov 25^th – Mon

Terry played golf this morning.  After posting the blog and passing another Candy Crush level, I headed out for some shopping.  But first I had to stop to see Ann for a bit and then Sharon next door to Ann.  It was a lovely sunny morning to stand outside & visit.

I had a good time checking out everything in Kohl’s and actually buying a few items.  Terry had returned shortly before I got back so we went to the courtyard.  When we got back, Richard & Nancy showed up with their contribution to Thanksgiving dinner as they will arrive later.  They stayed for a drink & nonstop talking as usual.  I had some leftovers to make an easy dinner before watching TV and crashing.

Nov 26^th – Tues

We did some grocery shopping and stopped at WalMart to get a small crock pot which we used for cocktail wieners a bit later. 

The occasion for appies today was a Street Hockey game on 7^th street.  It was organized by Jim & Caroline who own a park model across from Larry & Julie and also the fishing resort on Jewel Lake that we visited this summer.  They used PVC & sheets to make very nice goals and marked center & end lines with red duct tape on the pavement.  They had a bunch of hockey sticks and some poor person had to empty beer cans to use as pucks.  Each team had 2 guys & 1 woman and played two 3 minute halves.  They started at 5 minutes but it was too long for old people trying to keep up with those in a bit better shape!  They had a chart for winner &loser brackets with Jim & Caroline’s team eventually winning and doing a victory lap with the trophy.

We missed the street hockey game last year and were happy to attend this year.  Terry played but I wimped out & cheered.  A couple of guys hit the pavement, the “puck” cut Brad’s lip, someone broke a nail(!) and lots of people had shins hit with sticks but luckily there were no serious injuries to players or spectators who were sometimes in the middle of the action.

Then it was right on to line dancing at 6:30 so we could take advantage of extra lessons before the regular class from 7 to 8-ish.  After that we went to Dennis & Gloria’s to watch the finale of DWTS.

Nov 27^th – Wed

We went to get Terry’s motorcycle license today with the usual long lines & waits at the MVD.  I know, everyone else uses DMV but AZ has to be different!  On the way back we stopped at a couple of large motorcycle stores and got gloves for both of us and a jacket for Terry.

We went to music in the courtyard (MCY) and did a lot of line dancing to The Weezul Brothers.

Then it was time to make a quick appy and go to Larry & Julie’s for another party.  This one was to introduce people to Terry & Tina (good friends of L&J and new owners of a park model across the street from L&J) and “Parrish & family”.  Parrish is Bill & Laurie’s son and is visiting them with his wife, son & daughter.  There was a huge crowd with a high noise level from so many conversations.  It was quite cool but a lot of people could sit in the carport and there were a couple of heaters for those on the street.  We finally headed for home about 10.

Nov 21st to 24th - Mesa

Nov 21^st – Thurs

Terry went golfing this morning and I went to coffee & doughnuts with Terri.  Then she drove me to Albertsons for a few groceries.  I made 2 batches of Rice Krispy squares for tonight, worked on the blog, visited with Sue and finally made it through the level of Candy Crush that has had me stumped for a while.  While I baked a couple of pans of rolls, I decided to try to get Terry through the level that has him stalled but I wasn’t able to get it done.

Shortly after Terry got back, we went to the courtyard for a bit.  Came back, packed up our drink bag & food and went to Dennis & Gloria’s for a potluck, “non birthday” dinner with about 36 of our closer friends!  Gloria asked Ernie & Dianne, Doug & Duane to provide music.  They were joined or spelled off at different times by Bruce, Ray & Viv and Dale who is new to the park with his wife Sharon.

We ate at tables in the carport and then put away the tables to provide a little room for dancing.  Part way through the musical part of the evening the promised rain started.  One large lightning bolt and a clap of thunder startled everyone.  People tried to time their departure to lighter rainfall but that didn’t work too well.  Robin had her car so she gave us a ride home.

The motorcycle was out in the rain and our chairs were filled with water.  We emptied the chairs and tucked them under the rig and then Terry drove the motorcycle under the awning.

Nov 22^nd – Fri

It rained hard last night and most of today.  I know this is not bad weather compared to a lot of other places – like those with snow & freezing temperatures already – but we didn’t even venture out except to cover the motorcycle.

We had a late lunch/early dinner so Terry could leave for his first motorcycle class at 4:15.  The class started at 6:00 but we knew one road was closed due to flooding and he would hit rush hour traffic.  He got home at 9:30 which was when the class was supposed to finish.  They had elected not to have a break and get done early.

I made apple blossoms (individual pies) and ice cream and we called it a day.

Nov 23^rd – Sat

The alarm went off at 5 as the class today started at 6:30.  It was still raining when Terry left but changed to wind a while later so I put up the awning.  I did much the same as yesterday – goofed off and puttered around.

Shortly after Terry got back, Brad & Clare arrived so everyone had to greet them and make Brad nervous backing in with an audience.  They had nasty road & weather conditions for their drive today from north of Albuquerque. 

We had an early dinner and had time to rest & relax before going to a dance at 7.  We sat at a different table than usual and met 2 new couples.  The band was North Star which is popular & sold out but there were fewer tables and the dance floor did not get as packed.

Nov 24^th – Sun

No rest for the wicked!  Before we went grocery shopping with a large list, Terry helped Ron & Brian move a couple of large propane heaters in case the weather continued ugly for tonight’s Grey Cup party at Brian & Bev’s. 

After I put everything away, we went to Home Depot for some decorative rocks to cover the red dirt/mud where we park the motorcycle.  We figured it would take the park too long to respond to a request to do it especially since they are still busy pumping water out of the horseshoe pits which flood any time it rains.  Terri has a rain gauge in a decorative light in front of their motorhome and it showed nearly 3 ½ inches of rain.  This area broke all time records for the amount of rain in a 24 hour period.

The Gray Cup party was a lot of fun and made better by Terry winning the pool for the 3^rd quarter score.  Ron takes the organization of this party seriously and had assigned seating for the men and Clare who was the only woman who said she would watch the game.  The rest of the women chatted inside or out and watched the game part-time.  We had lots of appetizers and then dinner at half-time.  Everything was put away and cleaned up before 9 and everyone headed home.

Nov 15th to 20th - Mesa

Nov 15^th – Fri

We went to a large motorcycle dealer to see if we could get an adapter for the “intercom” system in our helmets.  We didn’t find anything so we came home and had a late breakfast.  A friend (Ralph) with a Gold Wing bike came by to check out the system and said he would buy it as it was made for a Gold Wing.  So now we will look at a bluetooth system instead.

We took it easy for a few hours.  I warmed up some leftovers for Terry for an early dinner as he was going to a motorcycle safety & learning school.  But first we went across the street to Dave & Phyllis’ for a goodbye gathering for Bill & Margie.  Terry was just leaving to change clothes and leave when he got a phone call from the motorcycle school.  Turns out our credit card was refused since we used an AZ address but no one bothered to let us know so Terry was not enrolled and the class was full!  The lady said others had requested a class for 3 wheel bikes and she would call Terry back later to let him know what was happening.  So Terry went to get a drink and joined the party.

No call back from the school!!

Nov 16^th – Sat

It was cool enough to put on long pants & a light jacket to ride our bikes and check out patio sales early this morning.  There is more visiting than selling on the patio sales – bikes, golf carts and cars crisscrossing everywhere.  We cut our “shopping” short to go to breakfast at the 5 ‘n Diner with Ron & Terri.

I went through our forwarded mail and looked after a bunch of junk that needs to be stopped so we don’t pay to receive it.  Terry washed the motorcycle.  Unfortunately he washed it where it is parked which is dirt that turns to sticky red mud with the addition of water.  So we had to wash our shoes and Terry moved the bike so he could hose down the sidewalk and part of the driveway.

We had an early dinner so it would be settled before we went to a dance at 7.  “Come Back Buddy” was the band and, like last year, played the whole 3 hours with no break.  There was finally a large crowd and a full but not jammed dance floor.  We sat at a different table than usual and got to know Cliff & Sue (they run karaoke) a bit better.

Nov 17^th – Sun

Ron has organized a bi-weekly golf outing with 5 tee times and we were part of the group this morning.  It was cool at 7:30 but warmed up quickly.  Terry did very well and I had nowhere to go but down after my good game on Thursday.

We all went out for lunch at a different Red Robin since the one we had frequented no longer has a long table to seat a big group.  Also, the waiter who normally served us moved to the new location.  He didn’t start work until 4 today but our group of 20 was looked after very well by several servers.

After lunch, we went to Costco to pick up my contacts and a few other items.  Then we stopped at Fry’s for more groceries.  After emptying the truck, we relaxed with Candy Crush & TV.

Nov 18^th – Mon

Terry left at 8 to play golf and I had a lovely morning doing whatever I wanted – visited the country store, checked the mail box, chatted with neighbors, did some cleaning, had lunch and generally goofed off.  Terry got back not long before we went to the courtyard for music.

I had thawed some chicken so I cooked it and made Terry a light dinner.

Just before 8 we went for a special line dance lesson for the Wooden Nickel which looks very nice done as a couple.  Terry wanted to learn it last year but we just never got it done.  Margaret (leads beginner line dancing) got another couple that knows the dance to help us as it involves a turn as you move around the floor so you need someone in front and behind to watch as you are learning.  Terry didn’t quite catch it all but I think I can teach him.  I had the advantage of a guy who knows the dance as a partner one time so he could “steer” me through the turns.

Nov 19^th – Tues

Here I am behind again in my blog!  We went on a Poker Run at 11 which consisted of 5 groups of 25 people going to 5 locations in the park.  At each location, we saw & learned about an activity and/or special facility – computer room, pottery, card room, lapidary/silver smith and Fiesta community center.  We drew cards out of a bag and someone working at the location marked your draw on a card worn around your neck on a ribbon.   In past years, cards were sealed in envelopes which was a lot more work for the organizers.  When we finished the 5 stations, we all returned to the courtyard and ballroom for beer & hotdogs and to see who won.

By the time we finished, it was a little early to stay at the courtyard for music but Curtis was playing so we stayed.  We did some line dances and had our usual good time in wonderful weather.

At 6:20 we went to line dance lessons.  They start at 7 but anyone who wants help can go earlier.  We reviewed 3 dances from last week and learned a new one.

Nov 20^th – Wed

We got out early to wash the underside of the awning, the motorcycle trailer, the driveway and the patio because we were having a company coming to wash & wax the 5^th wheel.  They arrived on time at 11 so I went inside to do some things and Terry stayed outside to “supervise”.

At 12:30, we were starving and the guys were going to be about another hour so we joined Moe for lunch in the courtyard.

I chatted with Erika when we returned and Terry paid the guys who were now done with the rig.  We had to move everything back into place and clean up the mud that was tracked back onto our nice clean driveway.  Just as we were finishing, Dennis & Gloria showed up with a drink in hand.  We barely had time to make a drink to join them when others started arriving - Ron & Terri, Moe & Trish, Joe & Stella, Dave & Phyllis and Duane & Sue.  After a few drinks and a lot of laughs, everyone went home to make dinner.

Nov 12th to 14th - Mesa

Nov 12^th – Tues

We removed the fifth-wheel hitch from the truck and stored it in the motorcycle trailer.  This will make it easier to load golf clubs & pull carts when I take women golfing.

When we were walking to the courtyard in the afternoon, we spotted Jerry & Erika who had just arrived.  They rented a park model behind us 2 years ago and have the same unit for 2 months this season.  They had trouble with their transmission on the way down from Kelowna so, with no reverse gear, they parked on the street and went to register after using our phone to try to contact the owner of the unit they are renting as they are 3 days early.  They joined us later in the courtyard which has been enlarged by removing a wall and a large planter.

After music in the courtyard, we returned to Ron & Terri’s site to welcome their friends Jim & Grace to the park – only Grace didn’t attend so we will have to meet her another day.  I came home to make a sandwich for dinner and we rushed off to line dance lessons at 7.   Dance lessons ended at 8:15 and we joined Pender & Donna and Richard & Nancy for a trip to The Village Inn for pie & coffee.

Nov 13^th – Wed

We used the motorcycle to run some errands – check the mail, get water, visit Dennis & Gloria and visit Jac.  I am sure the novelty will wear off and we will be back on our bikes soon!

We listened to Jeff Stevens in the courtyard this afternoon and did some dancing.  Jeff plays a guitar and sings without all the electronic accompaniment that other singers have.  He also plays Dueling Banjos on his one guitar which is really amazing.

Right after MCY, we went to Patti’s for a taco party.  She provided all the food and beer and we only had to bring something if we didn’t want to drink beer.  There was a fun group as usual.  We were ready to kick back & relax when we got home.

Nov 14^th – Thurs

I picked up 4 ladies and we joined 3 others for 7:48 & 7:55 tee times this morning.  We had to leave by 7 as the course was not as close as some we play.  Terry joined the guys at 8 to leave for their golf game.  I had a good game and enjoyed the course.  We went to 5 ‘n Diner for breakfast/lunch after our 9 holes.

I puttered around before Terry got back about 1.  I went to the library to exchange books while Terry went to the courtyard and had a burger for lunch.  A bit later, Terry went back to the courtyard to listen to music and I went to the pool where I “floated & chatted” and then read for a while before coming back.

We went to dinner at Vic & Jackie’s.  Moe & Trish were also there to enjoy a great dinner and good friends.  We were walking back when Neil came by in a golf cart and gave us a ride the rest of the short distance.  Bill & Margie and Dave & Phyllis were sitting outside so we talked a bit with them before calling it a night.

Nov 9th to 11th - Mesa

Nov 9^th – Sat

Jac knocked on our door at 9 to tell us that he saw 2 motorcycle helmets at a yard sale across the street so we immediately drove over to check them out and ended up buying them.  They came equipped with microphones so we can talk to each other but we haven’t tried them out yet.  We were scheduled to leave at 9:30 with Dennis & Gloria and Moe & Trish so we rushed back, picked up D&G and then I took a few minutes to fix my hair which was messed up from trying on the helmet.

We went to the art & craft sale at Fountain Hills which we attended and enjoyed last year.  It got pretty hot by the time we left.  We all made a couple of purchases and had a bite to eat.  When we got back, some people headed to the pool but we were lazy and stayed in.  We had an early dinner and then went to a dance.  Once again, there was a small crowd but I think a little larger than the last dance.  Terry invited Jerry & Becky, Harry & Cathy and Pender & Donna over for a nightcap so it was a late night.

Nov 10^th – Sun

I made jelly biscuits for breakfast and we played Candy Crush until we ran out of lives!  Jerry & Becky stopped by and then Nancy returned Terry’s glass which we left there Friday night.  She stayed a while and visited with Becky & me.  Brian & Bev stopped and we went to their place to check out the furniture that they have purchased – very nice.

By this time it was closing in on 2:00 so we went out for a burger and then picked up some groceries.  I had just finished putting everything away when Terry came back to say he was at Moe & Trish’s so I joined him there.  Dennis & Gloria were also there.  Trish brought out a few snacks, Duane & Sue came over with chairs & snacks and Vic & Jackie joined us with more snacks.  Moe had to move their car so we could make the circle bigger to include Joe & Stella, Brian & Bev, Chief, Dave & Phyllis and Ron & Terri.  We watched a lovely sunset and then all headed home for dinner.  Terry had to BBQ in the dark but the steaks were great.

Nov 11^th – Mon

Terry left early to play golf and I enjoyed reading and playing Candy Crush for a while.  I had a long phone conversation with sister Marg.  I returned a couple of glasses to Trish and ended up visiting with her & Jackie.  Then it was time for some cleaning before Terry got back after lunch.

The remainder of the afternoon was lazy since I didn’t feel like going to the pool and Terry followed suit.  We drove around on the motorcycle to find a place in the shade to take a picture which I then posted on the blog.

After dinner we watched DWTS and Blacklist which is our Monday night ritual now.

Nov 11th - New toy

I am behind on posting pictures to my albums so will just put this one picture on the blog.

 

Nov 6th to 8th - Mesa

Nov 6^th – Wed

We were looking forward to sleeping in but woke up early anyhow.  I caught up the blog before Mike came over to show Terry the basics of the bike.  Moe showed up to help unload and then push the trailer back into our parking area as we wanted it parked backwards so we can put the bike inside if we want to.  Without the bike inside it is a great storage unit for chairs & golf clubs.

After a couple of test rides and a late breakfast, we went to get the truck washed and to pick up some groceries.  I made devilled eggs and put a casserole together while Terry continued to familiarize himself with the bike and to show it off to everyone.

Shortly after 4 we went to the bocce courts for a second “welcome back” party organized by Gloria & Trish.  We socialized, played bocce and had a great dinner with food provided by everyone – even a turkey cooked by Gloria.  We were worn out when we returned barely after 9 so went to bed to watch TV & read.

Nov 7^th – Thurs

We both played golf this morning – Terry with the guys and me with 7 other women.  The ladies played 9 holes and had breakfast afterwards, the guys played 18 holes followed by lunch.  I had the truck with a full load of golf bags & carts.  A lot of tow cars cannot fit bags and carts for 4 people.  Shortly after I got back, Patti stopped in for a nice visit.

Terry has been bugging the manager for a tree at our site as the one they planted earlier this year died.  We decided the spot where the tree would go was a good place to park the motorcycle and of course a crew showed up today to plant an orange tree!  The first worker did not speak much English so later 2 guys showed up with a huge auger and the tree.  One guy spoke English and I still had a hard time convincing him that we didn’t want the tree.

We went to the courtyard to listen to music, had a couple of hours to make & eat dinner and then went to the Rancho’s courtyard to listen to Wayne & Deb and Doug Bailey from 7 to 9.  Once Richard & Nancy showed up, we did some line dances.

Nov 8^th – Fri

We transferred the titles to our new toys this morning which was quite a lengthy procedure.  The bike was OK but in Minnesota, trailers under 3000 lbs do not have titles.  The agency that we started at did not know how to process it so we went to the large state licensing office where we waited our turn.  Then the processor we got did not know quite what to do so it took a while for her and another lady to look in a thick book and figure it out.  From there we went to Costco to exchange my new contacts and I took a number and waited there.  I tried a new brand – I have heard that my old brand is going to be discontinued – and was not happy with my distance vision so I ordered the old brand again.

Then it was time to do laundry and have lunch while the clothes were washing.  We finished in time for Terry to give motorcycle rides to Dennis & Gloria before we went to listen to music.  Wayne & Deb performed in the ballroom this afternoon as the courtyard is being expanded a bit by having planters & a wall removed.

Nancy asked if we wanted to have dinner & play cards so we came home for our drinks bag & the bike and went to their place.  We walked to The Duchess for dinner and then played Hand & Foot with the park rules which are very different from how we normally play.  I am sad to say that the guys won 2 games and the ladies won 1.

Nov 1st to 5th

Nov 1^st to 5^th - Fri to Tues

I haven’t posted on the blog for 5 days as we were on a road trip.  We left Friday morning to go to St. Peter Minnesota to pick up a motorcycle & enclosed trailer that Terry bought from our friend Mike.

We spent the first night in Tucumcari NM and then drove a long day to Sioux City Iowa.  Along the way we went past enormous feed lots.  The smell was so bad that a squashed skunk made it smell better!  We ended up having to change rooms at the motel as someone above us took a shower and water started pouring through our bathroom ceiling.

On Sunday we continued to St. Peter where we met Mike’s nephew Kelly at his auto body shop where the bike & trailer were located.  We strapped down the bike, hooked up and headed back.  The weather so far had been perfect and was marred only a bit by high winds for a couple of hours.  We put in another very long day (13 hours), enjoyed a blazing sunset and stayed at Grand Island Nebraska.

Monday was another long, uneventful day which took us to Albuquerque NM.  We took a different route back to avoid roads with little towns that require slowing & speeding back up to 65 MPH over & over.  We ended up on Hwy 71 in eastern Colorado which is a very flat, even boring part of an otherwise scenic state.  We stayed at the Route 66 Casino hotel.  We had a lovely room and spent a couple of hours on the slots before getting a very good night’s sleep.  As we drove south from Las Cruces, a bank of very dark clouds produced a great lightning show that stayed a long way from the highway.  We realized in the morning that it rained during the night but we didn’t hear a thing.

Tuesday we drove 4 ½ hours before stopping at a casino in Payson AZ for breakfast and a bit of slot play since Terry kept our losses to a minimum the day before.  Gloria was making dinner for us so we didn’t want to be late getting in.  We actually arrived about 2 and went to the courtyard to listen to Curtis and dance a bit before joining Ernie & Dianne at Dennis & Gloria’s.  Bruce & Ann stopped by for a drink before we ate.  When we arrived we also hugged hello to Duane & Sue who arrived the day we left.

The bike is still in the trailer as we were ready to relax & have fun - not like driving 3300 miles in 5 days isn't fun!

Oct 29th to 31st - Mesa

Oct 29^th – Tues

Gloria organized a group to get together to play bocce ball at 1:00.  We ended up with 27 players and since the weather cooled down quite a bit it was actually not too hot at all.  We went right from there to listen to music in the courtyard – Doug Bailey – which was very enjoyable and involved some line dancing.

We had just finished eating dinner when Julie & Larry stopped by.  They were still here when Ron & Terri came over to visit.  Julie was feeling no pain tonight but probably won’t be feeling up to par tomorrow morning.

Oct 30^th – Wed

We got the laundry going and were making breakfast when Dennis & Gloria stopped in for a cup of coffee.  We had seen them at the laundry room and they were waiting for their clothes to dry.  One of our washers didn’t spin out the water so I had to rewash a load which added 30 minutes to our laundry time.

We joined a large group in the courtyard to listen to music and then went to dinner at Moe & Trish’s along with Dennis & Gloria.  Great food, great friends, great time – can’t get much better than this.

Oct 31^st – Thurs

Terry went golfing this morning.  I went to coffee & doughnuts and then helped finish decorating the ballroom.  When Terry got back just after 1:00, we went to the bank to wire some money and finally had something to eat.

Now it was time to head to the courtyard and listen to “Wayne & Deb”.  We left a little early to change into our Hawaiian shirts for the Halloween Dance.  A couple of tables were reserved for volunteers & friends so we didn’t have to line up early.  “North Star” played at the dance which always makes for a good time.