Jan 18th to 21st - Mesa

Jan 18^th – Mon

After breakfast we made a trip to Fry's for groceries and then ran around on the bike doing a few errands in the park.

Lovely sunshine for MCY with Howard Palmer and line dancing. After dinner we went to visit with Harlan & Barb for a bit.

Jan 19^th – Tues

This morning Terri, Elsie & I baked mini cupcakes in Terri's lovely big oven. We made 2 cake mixes – many little cupcakes – and Susan made one mix and brought them over. Then we frosted all the little buggers and put together a “cake” on a big piece of plywood (thanks Dennis) covered with foil. The center of the cake was a grid of 10 by 7 rows of white frosted cupcakes and I piped the numbers from 1 to 70 on top. We surrounded that with chocolate cupcakes and arranged the leftovers on a foil covered foam core board. Turned out great if I do say so myself!

MCY with Guilty Pleasures and sunshine. We left a little early to have a look at a park model that Jerry & Becky bought and are going to fix up. They had a little open house since so many people wanted to see the before & after.

We had to rush right back to the ballroom for an early start (6:00) to line dance lessons and were 10 minutes late. Bob was teaching a dance (Dancing in the Dark) that was not included in their schedule this season. We were there until 9 so had lots of exercise.

Jan 20^th – Wed

We were still goofing off when Jerry & Becky came by to see if we needed any help setting up for Terry's party tonight. When they came in they said they thought Terry wasn't home since the bike was gone. Terry just about had a heart attack until he remembered that we drove right from Jerry & Becky's to line dancing and then walked home and forgot the bike in front of the office!! Of course it had a parking ticket from the park on it.

We made a trip to the bank, Costco (including lunch), WalMart and the dollar store for balloons so I could finish some decorations when we got back. MCY today was a Manager's Happy Hour with 25 cent beer & wine so the place was packed. Terry went early and I went for a while. We had to leave early to be at the multipurpose room to set up tables at 4:00. We talked to a work camper earlier with a general idea of the set up and they had it mostly done but we needed more tables & chairs. We had lots of helpers and were done shortly before 5. Terry had to wait for Rich Mancini (hired to play music) to arrive and then he came back to change & head back.

The party was amazing!!! Everyone brought food and their own drinks. We started the food line

about 6:30 and managed to get everyone through before Rich started playing at 7. We pushed the food tables right against the wall and when Rich took a short break moved them out completely to make the dance floor bigger. People brought cards, gifts (not supposed to!!) and lots of energy to party & dance. Dar did a huge job of collecting money from people who wanted to bring something but didn't know what or who were going to bring a bottle of Scotch! Many, many thanks to Dar and all contributors to our cruise booze fund!!!

Rich played until 9:30 with enthusiastic dancers right to the end, we had lots of help to fold tables & chairs and Larry H swept up. Great, great party!!! Some people missed the fun so we ended up with “only” 130 guests!

Jan 21^st – Thurs

We went to coffee & doughnuts this morning as there was to be an announcement about bringing your own alcohol to events. We cannot BYOB (or food) to the courtyard any more since there is a licensed bar & grill. Apparently Mesa is cracking down on parks. VVV is going to bring back reduced happy hour prices when there is music in the courtyard.

Terry went to MCY but I stayed home to alter some blouses. We picked up Harlan & Barb and Terry H at 5:15 for a trip to the AZ Opry. This was the first visit for all of them and they were amazed at the speed of dinner being served to so many people. We saw the variety show which was excellent as usual. Another great outing with good friends.