I'M A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED

This is the Gazebo I wanted for my new Patio, it would have covered the whole patio, but it was not approved.  They say it would not stand up to the strong Texas winds.  So I had to settle for an Umbrella.  The Gazebo would have been nice, but I also like the way the Umbrella looks, I may get more than one, and they will be a lot easier to deal with when we pack up to go home in the spring. 

So what else have we been up to since my last post.  Both of us and Sea-Enna have been getting lots of exercise.  We walk the entire park, up and down each street and avenue morning and evening most days.  Last night we went to our first community dance.  We had a great time, even though I don't normally like Country music, it was tolerable.  We have again met a lot more people.  We better buy a directory, (which the park sells) because we are having trouble remembering all of the new names.  This evening we are going to Magic Valley Park, as Doug Wheeler, from Uno Por Rio, in Gimli, is doing a stand up comedy routine there.   Well, that's it for now.  More later. 

IT WAS CANADA DAY IN PARADISE PARK

It was Canada Day here today.  All the Canadians got together in the community hall for a pot luck get together. 

It was very well attended seeing as how there are only about 50 Canadians in the park.  We are going to have to do some recruiting.  We see all kinds of Manitoba license plates all over the valley, and some parks are almost all Manitobans.  But not here.  Lots from the northern states, but not very many from Canada in this park. 

It was a good time, lots of good food and laughs, and we got to meet a lot  more people.  

I've got to get me one of those hats for next year. 

I LOVE MY PATIO

This is the Fabric I have settled on.     It is bright and colourful and very tropical looking. 

I think the cushions make it all look very comfy and quite homey. 

Our neighbours Dave & Helen came over to help us test it all out.  And "Buddy"certainly gave it his approval. 

OUR GRAPEFRUIT TREE IS PRUNED

We have finally had our Grapefruit tree pruned. 

The guy we hired was like a monkey, scrambling around up in that tree with a chain saw in his hand. 

.  And I was right.  It sure looks UGLY.  But, I have been assured that by next year at this time, it will be back to lots of new shoots and in full leaf again.  But we will not get fruit off of that one for another year.  Dan's now looking at getting some pruning equipment so we don't let it get that overgrown again.  Then after our regular evening walk last night we went for a quick dip in the pool and hot tub.  So relaxing before bed.  Tonight we are off to the Club House for a Fish Fry.  So thats it from McAllen for now. 

WE NOW HAVE PATIO FURNITURE

This week we went out and bought the basics in Patio Furniture.  Four Chairs for the table I bought last year and a Settee and two matching chairs and a side table.  We now have seating for ten.  Any more than that and you have to bring your own folding chairs. 




Now I just have to choose the Fabric I want for cushions and some accent colours.  Of course I would love to go nautical, like I have inside the trailer, but I haven't been able to find any nautical accents around here.  It's all cowboy stuff. 
Today we also hired a local to trim our overgrown Grapefruit trees.  I have a feeling they are going to look pretty ugly for the rest of the time we are here this year.  But they should bounce back by next year.  I hope.  One of them is sooo overgrown, I don't know if it will survive the amount I want it cut back.  If it doesn't I can always plant a new one.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME.!!

Today I have to face the big 70.  And I am going to celebrate it, and not bemoan it.  I have been enjoying the fact that Dan turned 70 on the 5th, and have been teasing him about it ever since.  I have finally caught back up and am now the same age as Dan again.  It was great being one year younger for the whole 9 days.  I bragged about it to everyone who would listen. (which weren't very many) 

 












These are pictures that Sharon took, when they had us over for Dinner on Dan's Birthday. 


Today we drove down to Weslaco, to their home to pick up Dan's hitch and the Patio table I bought when I was still dreaming of some day having a storage shed to put it in.  Casey and Sharon were nice enough to store my rash purchase until Dan had a chance to Buy and Assemble a shed for me. 


So thanks to Dan, I now have the start of my Texas Patio.  Next week Chairs and Accessories. Then A Gazebo/Pergola, then some plantings, Patio lights, maybe a Bar, a Bistro set, etc., etc., etc.,  but we will break all this to Dan one step at a time. 

I must have a little more done for my annual St. Patrick's Day Cocktail party.  That's MY big thing down here.  I DO St. Patrick's Day.  I'm even expecting Dave and Donna Riemer this year. 

For now we are really enjoying ourselves, up in the morning to Grapefruit straight off of our trees.   Then deciding, "What are we going to do today?"  The weather was a little cool for 2 days, but we are back to 75 degrees today, so we can't complain.  Retirement is GREAT. We went to the community breakfast this morning and Dan is taking me out for Dinner tonight.  I will go back to patio shopping on Monday.  So that's it for now. 

THE SHED IS FINISHED

Our new shed is finished.  It turned out to be really worth all the work and cursing.  Thanks to our neighbours Dave and Helen for their assistance and a special thanks to Darrel for his expertise about injection molds. 

"I think I have some left over parts?"

Oh, Well, Now I have room to store them until I find out if they are spares or overlooked. 

It should hold lots of "Stuff".


It's cool here today.  Only going up to 65 degrees.  They even closed the pool,"Due to cool weather".  All us Canadians are saying "What?"