MORE POOL TIME

Now that the weather has improved, we are putting more pool time into our schedule. 

I don't really enjoy the pool during the day, as it is usually very busy then and I'm not exactly a sun worshipper.  My Anglo-Saxon freckled skin does not do well in the hot sun. 

So, after a hot sunny day out and about or just sitting around on the patio, I like to go over to the pool after dinner.  

We usually have the pool to ourselves then, or almost, and the Hot Tub is so inviting at that time of the evening.  
 

A quick dip in the pool and a soak in the hot tub, then back into the pool to cool back down and I am refreshed and ready for bed.  After I have indulged in this routine, I usually sleep like a log.  



THAT'S MY TEXAS ROUTINE

NOW THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT

The beautiful Texas weather, that we come all the way down here for, is finally back.  It has been a lousy winter down here this year.  From mid December until now, we have had very few warm days.  Most days it has barely gotten to the low 60F/16C. We would get one , maybe two 70F/21C days, then back to the cool.  

Thank goodness I have started to play Bridge again. 
I don’t take part in the outdoor sports, like Golf, Shuffle and Pickle Ball that a lot of people come down here for.  But, I do like to be outdoors on the patio, at the pool and hot tub, which I haven’t been able to enjoy much with this weather.  So Bridge has given me another indoor entertainment to enjoy. 

AHH, but now we are back to our mid 70F/24C temperatures.  By Wednesday and Thursday it's supposed to be mid 80F/30C, great outdoor weather.  I always say, "If you are staying indoors, with the doors and windows closed and the heat on, you might as well be in Manitoba."  But now we are back to sitting out weather, with open windows and screen doors.  

AND THAT'S WHAT I LIKE ABOUT TEXAS 

TH|E NEW STAIRS ARE FINISHED

Our new stair are finally finished.  Today we installed the new carpeting.  

It took us quite a while to find a close match to the existing carpets.  It's not quite the same, but the difference is not too glaring. 

The final chore will be to put in a really sturdy hand rail.  These changes don't seem like much, but as we age they are very important. 

That's one more improvement to the livability of our winter home away from home.  


JUST NEED TO ADD A HANDRAIL

SEA-ENNA AND THE MIRROR

I don't know why, but Sea-Enna has taken to looking at herself in the mirror.  It's not as if we don't have the same kind of mirrors in the condo at home, but this behaviour just started this year here in Texas and we can't quite figure it out.  

It seems to occur only when one of us is alone with her.  I first started to notice it when Dan was over at the hall on Hamburger night.  

So I started taking pictures of her doing it.  Then one day when I was out and Dan was alone with her, he found her up in the bedroom doing the same thing.  

She sits very still and just stares at herself.  She NEVER does this behaviour when we are both here.  

We are wondering if she is looking for the missing one of us, in the mirror.  Or maybe because we are always telling her she is a pretty girl, she is just checking.  

 SHE SURE KEEPS US ENTERTAINED

SATURDAY NIGHT DANCING

Tonight we went to the Clubhouse Hall to see and dance to "The Castaway".  

Which was "Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffet and Surfer music".  

It was great music, an enthusiastic crowd and a lot of fun.  

WE ARE CERTAINLY READY FOR MORE OF THAT

 

THE LONG DELAYED HAPPY HOUR

As I explained in my blog of December 3rd, we have a weekly Happy Hour get together here in the park.  The last one we had was on December 17th, then the Christmas, New Years holidays arrived, so those Happy Hours were postponed until into the New Year.  

 

We volunteered to hold the first one, of the new year, on January 7th.  Well, the weather has taken a turn for the worse and we postponed again til today, now the rain date has arrived and the forecast is for another cold and rainy Wednesday.  So, rather than keep postponing for another week and another week, we have decided to move the "Happy Hour" to the club house hall. 

We had a great turn out and everyone seemed to have a good time.   I was worried at first that we would not have very many people due to the inclement weather. 

But, after all this lousy weather I think a lot of people have "Cabin Fever", and were just looking for a chance to go out of their homes.  So it all turned out great. 






HOPEFULLY THE WEATHER WILL IMPROVE BY NEXT WEDNESDAY

DANCING IS WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

Including the New Year's Eve dance, that we thoroughly enjoyed, this is only our second time out dancing this year and I have missed that.  During his stay, Dwight didn't really want to go out dancing, so we stuck pretty close to home. 

So last night we went to Pine to Palm with Lawrence and Diane to see and dance to one of our favorite bands, "The Agency." 

This week, we have a number of things on our calendar.  Dan has his Monday burger night, then we are taking our turn at hosting our park's Wednesday Happy Hour.  I have to fit my Birthday celebration in this week as well.  My Birthday wish is for warmer weather. 

THINGS ARE PICKING UP

DWIGHT IS OFF TO CALIFORNIA

Well last night was our last dinner together in Texas, as Dwight is off to California today.  

We will busy ourselves around here until the end of March then we will see each other back in Manitoba in the Summer. 

HAVE A SAFE TRIP AND ENJOY SPAIN AND IRELAND ETC. 

DAN AND DWIGHT'S HAMBURGER NIGHT

Every Monday night in Paradise Park is Hamburger Dinner and Bingo.  This is Dan's second year of running the dinner part of this, for the park.  So of course when Dwight arrived, Dan roped him in as part of his crew. 

The rest of the Hamburger Night crew consists of Tony Callum, Mary Lewis and Diane and Bob Libert.  

Then there is Sherman Stairs and Mary Owen to round out the crew. 

It keeps the Thacker boys busy and out of trouble all day Monday, as they go around and do the shopping and get things ready for the evening meal.  Then go back around 3:00 and start cooking.  

This Monday, January 5th, being Dan's Birthday, the crew bought him a cake and invited me over before dinner to sing Happy Birthday with them.  



IT WAS VERY NICE

PUTTING AWAY CHRISTMAS

Well we are into the New Year and that means it's time to put away our Christmas Decorations.  

Today is the only day forecast for no rain, so we better take advantage of it.  We have had nothing but rain and cold since that nice day Sharon had for Boxing Day.  

So everything is packed up and stowed away, now we just need some spring like weather.  I am sick of this rain.  

This next week is not looking too promising either. 

But it's bound to break soon.  I want to be outdoors, I want to be in the pool, etc. etc. etc.  

COME ON SUNSHINE

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015

Well, we ushered in the New Year, with a great party here at Paradise Park.  

We were well entertained by "The Coins", who just happen to be residents in our park.  

We saw the old year 2014, ushered out.  

And the new year 2015 ushered in.  

Then the NEW YEAR ceremoniously kicked last year to the curb.  lol

It was quite a celebration. 

All in all it was a great party.  Good Music, great food, lots of dancing and a lot of  FUN.

AND THAT'S WHAT I LIKE ABOUT TEXAS!!