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