WE ARE VERY EXCITED, WE HAVE MORE COMPANY COMING

We love spending our winters down here in Texas.  And we love to share it with others.  It was wonderful having Gord and Ellie come and visit.  Now it looks like we are going to have some more company. 

Our company is expected in time for our annual St. Patrick's Day party.  So, we will get our other trailer out of storage so that we have lots of sleeping accommodations.

It should be lots of fun.  We are looking forward to it. 



IT'LL BE A FUN TIME

 

 

 

 

 

SPRING IS HERE IN TEXAS, THE FLOWER ARE BLOOMING

Even with the unusually cool winter we have had here in Texas, we are still in February and everything is coming into bloom. 

 

I don't know what this tree is, probably a type of Lilac, but the blossoms look like Wisteria.  It's gorgeous. 

 

There are Humming Birds flitting back and forth to my feeder, but they are too quick to get a good picture of them. 

 

And the Orange tree outside my dinette window is coming into bloom.  It's just loaded with blossoms. 

 

I don't know what this plant is but it is blooming in all the public planters.

 

It's all so pretty around here right now. 

 

 

 

 

AND THAT'S WHAT I LIKE ABOUT TEXAS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIY - STABILIZING AND SKIRTING THE TRAILER

If your going to leave a trailer here on a permanent basis, it has to be tied down to the concrete.  Dan has taken on the chore of permanently stabilizing the new trailer.  He has settled it down onto cinder blocks along the frame, and removed all the wheels. 

When living in a trailer, you can even feel the dog have a good scratch, while you were trying to sleep.  But, now that it has been stabilized, there is no more bounce inside.  You can walk around one end of the trailer without disturbing someone at the other end. 

Now he is skirting it in.  Lots of people use vinyl or aluminium type siding, but we have opted for lattice type. 

 

 

Having had experience over the years, with critters nesting under cottages, we prefer the open air and light that keeps it dry and the critters don't like to nest in the openness that it creates. 

 

We have also purchased a more solid set of stairs than the ones that are standard issue with trailers. Being cantilevered out on the side of the trailer they are inclined to create some unwanted movement as well. 

 

So now we have a good solid set with a landing at the top.  These new ones will be bolted down to the concrete just like the trailer. 

 

They will also be closed in with the lattice as well, which should complete the look. 

 

 

 

 

OUR LITTLE HOME AWAY FROM HOME IS REALLY TAKING SHAPE

 

 

 

 

 

WE ARE FINALLY GETTING OUR NORMAL WINTER TEXAS WEATHER

When Gord and Ellie left they were just starting to get a little taste of our wonderful Texas weather.  They had endured a week of some of the worst weather I have ever experienced here.  Other than some sightseeing, visiting, and dancing we stayed holed up in the trailer with the furnace on to keep warm.  Thank goodness for a new card game they introduced us to called "Sticks". 

 

 

Since they left the weather has been slowly improving.  I have been enjoying the outdoors a lot this past week or so.  I have been for a few evening swims, which I love.  Then today it turned another corner to the point where it got too HOT.  We were dealing with the fact that our microwave bagged it last night. 

 

 

So, Dan and our friend Larry Jones stood out in that hot sun most of the day and tore it apart and Larry checked out all the components to see if it was salvageable, only to find out it was not. Thanks anyways Larry. So then the hunt was on for a new one that was white (a rarity now a-days) and would fit in the hole in the trailer (another challenge).   So by the time that was all accomplished and the microwave was installed in the hole, the temperatures we soaring well into the 90s. 

 

 

 

But only for the late afternoon, the worst part of the day, that's when we had to close all the windows and blinds and and turn the air conditioning on.  I hate that.  It's like being trapped inside with the furnace on. 

 

I am certainly glad to report that the A/C worked just fine, seeing as how it's the first time we have used it since buying the trailer.  We took advantage of that air conditioning until the sun went down then we opened the windows and door and let the air move through. 

 

 

 

AND THAT'S WHAT I LIKE ABOUT TEXAS

 

 

 

 

 

DIY - "YOU'RE WISH IS MY COMMAND."

When we finished putting the pull-out baskets in my pantry cabinet, I immediately knew I needed more usable space.   I mused "I wish it was bigger".   We had spaced those shelves out too much and could have used that extra space for more shelves. 

 

 

So, I ordered another double set of Rev-A-Selves.  Then we moved the already installed shelves down and closer together and installed two more. 

Now that's better.  You can never have too much storage space in a kitchen, so now we have maximized the storage space in this pantry. 

 

 

 

And for some reason all trailer manufacturers seem to install very tall cupboards that waste all that upper space. 


So, Dan has gone around and installed lots of upper shelves (half way up) in the existing cupboards in this trailer, effectively doubling the original storage space. 

 

 

 

I AM VERY PLEASED. 

 

 

 

MY NEW SNAIL

Last year I bought an Armadillo for my patio.  I love it.  It is very different from what most people have for decor on their patio, but I think it is very Texas. 

 

 

 

So, ever since I have been looking for another very different item for my other side table.  I have been looking for a snail for over a year now.  So today, we found one and Dan bought it for me for Valentines Day.  I love it. 

 

 

 

HE REALLY FINISHES OFF MY PATIO DECOR

 

 

 

VALENTINE'S DANCE

The Valentine's Dance at the park was actually on Wednesday night.  Don't ask me why, it doesn't make sense to me.  It's not that often that Valentine's Day falls on a weekend, you'd think they would have the Dance on the actual day when it does, but, NOT?????

 

Anyways, we went over to the hall for the Dance and had a good time with friends and acquaintances. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were 5 couples in the park that were being honoured, for celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, a rare occurrence these days.  

 

 

Another good excuse to go out dancing, cause that's what we do when we are here. 

 

 

 

AND THAT'S WHAT I LIKE ABOUT TEXAS

 

 

 

DIY - DOGGIE POTTY STATIONS IN THE PARK

Our Park has come up with a wonderful idea for POO BAG dispensers for cleaning up after our dogs.  Which of course is something that all of us want to encourage.  The idea is to purchase a number of rural type mail boxes and fill them with our used plastic grocery bags.  (Another great recycling idea.)

And no dog owner will ever have an excuse for not cleaning up after their dog.  The idea is that the “Mail/Poo bag Boxes” will be distributed around the perimeter planted areas where everyone walks there dogs.  We can all contribute our unwanted grocery bags, fill the poo bag boxes and the dog walkers help themselves when needed.  When the last bag is used, the user flips up the flag to let us know that we can add more bags.  A dog owner can purchase one of these stations and put their pet’s name on it if they wish or a couple of dog owners can chip in and put a couple of dog names on one, or you may have lost a pet and this could be a lasting Memorial to your pet. 

I personally think it is a GREAT idea. So, we have purchased one of these stations.   It has arrived and now that our guests have left, here's Dan preparing it for installation.  First of all a post must be concreted into the ground, then the next day the "Mail Box" is installed and bolted to the post.  The plastic type mail boxes were chosen so that they will be low maintenance and will not rust like the metal ones.  So, here is our potty station installed, just waiting for it's garbage can to be added.  . 

And here is the name tag we had made for it. 

 

 

 

 

I THINK THIS IS AN IDEA THAT COULD BE USED IN OUR PROVINCIAL PARK AND MARINA BACK HOME

 

 

 

 

 

GORD & ELLIE ARE MOVING ON

 

After a solid week of lousy weather the sun finally came out and Ellie decided to take advantage of it and soak up some rays.  

 

 

 

With the cool rainy weather we have been having we have kept ourselves busy sight seeing, shopping and playing cards etc.  It's rather disappointing for us Canadians to come all the way down here for the Texas sun and have it elude us completely.  We still had a lot of fun and plenty of laughs, but all good things must come to an end and it was time for Gord and Ellie to pack up and move on. 

 

 

 

They are now starting their journey home to the "Great White North",  I'm glad they got one day of sunshine before they left. 

 

 

 

HAVE A SAFE TRIP HOME AND WE WILL JOIN YOU THERE IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MORE FUN AND DANCING IN TEXAS

Well, it was Saturday night and we took Gord and Ellie to Paradise Park annual Pig Roast.  The food was wonderful and we had a great time. 

No that is not the pig that they roasted, but a special dessert cake made for the occasion. 

 

Then we all went to "Trophy Gardens" to do some dancing. 

 

 

By "All", I mean, Lois and Larry Jones. 

 

 

 

Gord and Ellie Gowie, our "Honourary Winter Texans". 

 

 

And Dan and I.  We all had a wonderful evening of Partying and Dancing to "The Agency".  I think Gord and Ellie might be getting hooked on this Texas life style. 

 

 

 

I KNOW WE ALL ARE.  . 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TO SHARON & CASEY'S FOR DINNER

Our boating friends Sharon and Casey from Boundary Creek Marina, invited us and our mutual friends Gord and Ellie from Gimli Harbour, to their place in Westlaco, for dinner last night.   

 

 

We had a lovely evening, and a lot of laughs. 

 

 

 

The dinner was delicious. 

 

 

And Sharon followed through with the home made Lemon Merange Pie that she promised to make for Ellie, if she ever made it down here to the Rio Grand Valley. 

 

 

This pie was even made with fresh lemons picked by Casey, off of the Lemon Tree, in his own back yard. 

 

 

 

I think Gord and Ellie had a wonderful time and are really starting to like the valley even though it's been rainy and cold all week.  I think they will LOVE it if they ever get to see it when it has normal hot dry Texas weather.   

 

 

 

AND THAT'S ANOTHER THING WE LIKE ABOUT TEXAS

 

 

 

 

 

I'M USING AN IMPORTED PEROGIE MAKER LOL

When my friend Ellie came all the way here from Manitoba, she brought her perogie making equipment with her.  So, on a cool day, we had nothing to do so we spent the day making perogies. 

 

 

It was a lot of work, but she makes it look so easy.  We froze a huge batch, then she cooked some up for supper for us. 

 

 

 

 

Even Sharon and Casey came by from Weslaco for a visit and Sharon pitched in with the perogie making.  Those Manitoba girls really know how to make perogies.  I'm glad I have my new kitchen, that has enough room for this kind of activities. 

 

 

 

WE ARE STILL VISITING AND STILL HAVING FUN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUT DANCING IN TEXAS WITH GORD & ELLIE

Our friends Gord and Ellie Gowie just arrived from Manitoba.  Gord and Ellie are in charge of the harbour in Gimli and have decided to come to visit us as part of their trip south this year. 

 

They arrived yesterday afternoon, so after dinner we went to the club for the 50s 60s dance. 

 

 

We had a great time and have plans for lots of sight seeing and outings for the next week. 

 

 

IT WILL BE A FUN WEEK