Hectic

 We are partway through the two most hectic months of the season, January and February. When we left Magnolia park I promised myself I would not get my time filled up to where I could barely breathe. And I have done that. One of the reasons I chose to do that is because when our RV went out the gate in the Spring I felt relieved and had a sense of freedom like being on vacation. So slow down you move too fast would dance through my head and still does now and then. The downside of this plan is that I do not always come across as accessible. I am involved to a limited degree in two areas, the pool hall and trivia. I enjoy both of these activities. There are many other areas that hold an interest for me but choices must be made so that I do not go out the gate in the Spring in a state of relief but rather a choice of a different cycle. So rest assured I am not giving any of you the snub and someday I might make a switch. I try to stay flexible. Don't feel bad or sad if I say "No". It isn't personal. I am just as busy as I want to be which isn't very!

Winter Texan Expo

We went to the expo today with Darrel and Linda Millard. Butch and I have been coming to the RGV for 25 years and yet we have never gone to the expo. Darrel and Linda went last year when they were here and enjoyed it. It is a hoot in more ways than one and in case you haven't found out, when you get a bunch of seniors together for any event it might become much more than you expect. There are a bunch of vendors and they are hoping to become your friend and share your pocketbook but by the time you are our age you do not share unless you really, really want to. We came home with lots of little gifts and teasers and didn't buy a thing. HEB was there handing out trail mix and giving $5 gift cards. We can make good use of that! Butch and I were separated for a while and I found him at a booth getting collagen applied to the bags under his eyes. The pretty young thing applying it had nails so long I thought he might lose an eye! It did work magic but when he heard the price ($199) she lost a customer. She was gracious about it though.

Before: Actually, they were even puffier than this. This is an old pic.

After:

Remarkable!

Comparison

 Our "kids" Jason and Laura were here last week and they bought pecans while they were here. Yesterday Jason sent me this... He said, One of these things is not like the other. You ever play that game?.
The pecans we have access to are the very best.

January/February

We are into the two busiest months of the year. You can find yourself so busy you are not sure if you are coming or going. These are the prime two months that everyone wants to be here. Being the introvert that I am my favorites are the other four of the winter season. The older I get the more difficult dealing with busy seems to be. This year will mark a new decade for me so I do not look for that to improve.

It was as much fun as I anticipated when Jason and Laura surprised us. We enjoyed every minute of their being with us and look forward to a repeat of that. It would be different if they were here for a longer period of time so the pressure of cramming in as much as possible would be lifted.

I must mention the weather. We have been coming to the RGV for 25 years. We got used to the weather being what everyone expects when it is labeled tropical. It has been a few years since we have enjoyed the usual thing for the weather. Mother nature is making up for it this year. This has been the best January we have had in memory and we are enjoying it and being grateful. If the weather turns sour we all know how to handle it! We have practiced for the past 3 years!

We are scheduled for a massage on Thursday. Yippee!

Snippets

New shower-We are loving it!

 Old Shower-12 inch step.  The step on the new one is about 3 inches.

Jason and Laura in Mexico

Taken in the hallway next to the restroom in the Red Snapper

The Rio Grande River in the background

I am Back!

A trophy for the representative Trophy Gardens First Place Winners in the 2023 RGV Senior Olympics- Doubles Pool Butch Brooker and Paul Kelleher. They look exhausted but they were a happy pair to be Gold Medal Winners!!

Visitors

 Jason called on Monday ( I think. It might have been Tuesday) and said they planned to come to the RGV for 3 days and would arrive on Thursday. I was able to reserve them a room in the apartments. I found out there is a 3 day minimum for rentals of the apartments. It was the first time I had been inside one of them and I do have to say they are small. $ 65 a night and that is not bad these days. Any more than a month in one would be too much I think. They are fine for  3 days as you would most likely be too busy to care. It was good to have them nearby and it made planning for events and the coming and going much easier. 

Butch was in a tournament on Tuesday and he came in 3rd in the RGV Senior Olympics. They were pleased. Wednesday we wrapped up as many details as we could getting ready for the "kids" to come on Thursday. Butch played with his partner, Paul Kelleher in the doubles and they won the gold medal on Thursday! What a day it turned out to be! Jason and Laura arrived about 12:30. and I showed them around the park then at 4:00 we joined in the daily Happy Hour at our neighbors Bill and Sandi. They provide the place and you bring your own "happy" and it breaks up promptly at 5 so everyone can get their supper before joining in whatever evening activities they have planned. It works beautifully. A fun time was had by all. Butch and Paul were a bit late having won their gold medal and were still enjoying the win when they arrived. They represented Trophy in a mighty fine way.

When Jason and Laura arrived I showed them around the park, and we returned to our park model, going over for happy hour at 4:00. We had a very good time introducing our family to our southern friends.

Not the best of pictures but you get the idea!

Have I lost you?

 I have to get ready for trivia night by lining up the 20 questions and when I finish with that I will catch up. Butch won a pool tournament. Jason and Laura came to South Texas FINALLY! So see you in a bit. You can time me if you like...