Jan 8th to 17th - Mesa

Jan 8^th – Fri

The blog entries posted today will be brief!!! Way too far behind but I have come to the conclusion that it will happen again!

The weather has improved so MCY was in the courtyard with Dan the Music Man and the usual line dancing for a little exercise. I was thawing some chicken for dinner when Elsie came over to invite us for a drink. We ended up staying to have a yummy dinner with them!

Jan 9^th – Sat

It is still cool so Terry had to fill a propane tank this morning but otherwise pretty forgettable.

MCY from 1-3 with Sam the Band. I finished preparing the dinner that was put on hold yesterday before we went to the usual Saturday night dance – this time with the band Shift Work.

Jan 10^th – Sun

It was cold for golf today. I pulled out a jacket & winter golf gloves from my bag. Haven't worn them for quite a while and only took off the jacket about the 16^th hole. A pizza lunch was put on by Jim & Grace and held in Brad's carport for warmth.

Larry & Barb arrived late this afternoon and Terry had agreed to park their 5^th wheel down the street a couple of sites. It took a little longer than usual as their truck is a bit shorter than ours and the turning radius is different. Also there was no room across the street to pull up further. Oh well – got it done, helped them hook up & then had them over for dinner. Great to see them again!

Jan 11^th – Mon

We picked up Ron & Terri at the airport today and were having them over for dinner so had to make a trip to Fry's and do some dinner prep in the morning. After picking them up, I put a couple of things in crock pots and went to MCY with Rich Mancini.

I was not super happy with the dinner results but everyone had enough to eat – and drink! We introduced Terri to Moscow Mules and possibly created a monster! Bob & Sandi came over for a nightcap too.

Jan 12^th – Tues

We had a morning to rest & relax. MCY with the popular band North Star so the courtyard was packed. I didn't have anything planned for dinner so we took advantage of the Tuesday dinner special served in the courtyard. Today was BBQ ribs and the weather cooled off enough after the sun was mostly gone that I convinced Terry to take dinner home. Definitely not our ribs but filled the tummies. Then it was time for line dance lessons from 6:30 to 9.

Jan 13^th – Wed

Nothing special this morning – games & a late breakfast. I went for a haircut at 1:00 which ended up a little late but not bad. The weather continues to be clear and warm which was perfect for MCY with the Brookharts. Dinner was in the crock pot – lovely.

Jan 14^th – Thurs

Terry went golfing this morning and I went to coffee & doughnuts with Terri & Dar. Terri was making a trip to Total Wine so I went with her. Always need something there! Our next stop was the dollar store for some things to figure out decorations for next Wed and then we picked up a few items next door at Fry's.

Terry was back in plenty of time for MCY with Wayne & Deb.

A few of us decided to go on a cruise so our place was operation central to make reservations. We and Bob & Sandi were the original “cruisers”. We made our reservation first then Gloria as she had company and needed to get back home. Then Julie & Larry, Barb & Larry and Barb & Harlan. Going to be fun! The cruise is with Norwegian on the same ship (Jewel) as our cruise last year. This time we are going out of Los Angeles (San Pedro) for a 7 day trip to the Mexican Riviera.

Jan 15^th – Fri

Dennis & Gloria dropped by to discuss the cruise as Gloria left so quick last night that she wanted to find out what she had missed – if anything. We played a few more computer games and then had a very late breakfast to use up the rest of the morning.

A few chores & errands before MCY at 3 with Van Arlon. Sunny but still cool so long pants and a jacket for me. Terry was tired of long pants so he braved the day in shorts. After music, Chris & Anne and Ann & Susann came over to join the cruise group and book tickets. Ann's husband Bruce was not interested in the cruise and Susann's husband Kim said he would stay home to look after their 2 dogs so the sisters could go on the cruise.

This activity was accompanied by Moscow Mules and I didn't have anything planned for dinner so we went out for a burger.

Around 8 we went to Rooster's Bar & Grill for a birthday party for Beth. The place was packed with a majority of the people from VVV for the party. A band started at 9. Decent music but way too loud for my liking and we were sitting at the edge of the small dance floor which put us close to the band. A lot of people from VVV park their cars inside the Rancho's gate and walk across the road so we ended up giving Ralph & Elsie a ride to the gate and then dropped off Irene at her site as she had asked shortly after we got there if we would take her across the road when we left.

Jan 16^th – Sat

There was a one hour frost delay for golf this morning. We had a good time playing with Jac & Karen. They had other plans so we dropped them off and then joined the rest of the group at Fat Willy's for lunch. Since we were late and a big group, we didn't get back until the middle of the afternoon.

We had time to rest before going to the dance with HotFoot. They started out with an “undanceable” rock song but we ended up being able to dance to almost everything they played.

Jan 17^th – Sun

Laundry duty late this morning. Ron & Terri were having an open house so the street was busy with people helping set up & generally enjoying a nice day.

Appies brought by everyone were set up across the street at Bob & Dar's site and a TV was outside at Ron & Terri's for football viewing. Ron & Brian hung huge tarps on the back & side of Ron's carport so it could be heated with multiple propane heaters. Those of us not watching the games spilled out onto the street and enjoyed the sunshine. Great gathering again!