Merry Christmas to all!

 

What I want and what I have...are the same thing.

I saw this quote on a friend's post and it seemed true to me. There is so much greed and power hunger in the world that it becomes more difficult to maintain a positive outlook. I will keep on, keeping on. I wish everyone in the whole world could say that what they want and what they have are the same thing. So that is my hope for the coming year. Unrealistic? I know it is. I will keep hoping...

Flood Gates Open

 The next couple of weeks the flood of Winter Texans will be flowing into the park. Our park population will nearly double for January and February and then in March it all reverses itself.

As for us, we are settled in. It seems to take a little longer each year to establish our routine. I keep thinking it will get easier and it has a little. It took us much longer than I anticipated to transition from the motorhome to our Texas home integrating that with our Iowa home. I am now what I can safely say comfortable with all of it. Our todo list and our want to change lists are in the past. That can change at any moment. I say that not seeing anything on the horizon.

We went to Sam's Club in McAllen yesterday and judging from that we will keep our Sam's Club visits for Iowa. It is just a few days from Christmas so I suppose that has something to do with it. Butch had his leg run into by a woman pushing a cart. And the isles were full of people and carts trying to go in all four directions.

It was definitely not a place for us rural Iowa folk who like our wide open spaces. I don't even like to go to our hometown Fareway when the number of people is too plentiful.  Oh well, we are happy as clams and grateful as all get out for the life we have the privilege of living and we hope you are too.

Till next time!

Flying with the times!

 An old lady once told me that as you age, time goes faster, and now that old lady is me! Although, yesterday an old man, upon finding out my age, told me I didn't look it. Men are such flatterers! 

Butch and I decided to go to Mexico yesterday because we were out of a few things we tried to keep on hand. But first, we went to the Christmas program the elementary students from across the street perform for us every year. Their teacher told us they have a curiosity about Trophy Gardens and enjoy coming here. The program was such fun to watch and it was encouraging to see the interest, talent, and enthusiasm for music the 4th and 5th graders enjoy. I hope more of us old folk decide to come next season. Here are some pics of the school kids.

After the program, Butch and I went to Nuevo Progreso, Mexico. It was a very busy place. One of the biggest surprises was the immigrants on the return bridge waiting to be okayed to enter the USA. They covered nearly half the bridge. We have never seen that before. More on that later.

We went down to Hectors and I emailed my list of things I wanted and he had them bagged up for me so the transaction didn't take long. We usually like to visit with Hector a while but he was too busy so we left him to his business.

We then went back to 'Jessica's' where we usually have lunch and when we arrived we saw some Trophy folk and joined them. They were going for pedicures after lunch and we decided to join them. Butch and I have never done that before but we were up for an adventure. It was wonderful and we will go back for more. It cost $12. I have nothing to compare it to but I am thinking it was a very good deal! Here are some pictures taken of the pedicure adventure.

Sandi M. and I. 

Sandi is a neighbor across the street, not to be confused with Sandi D. next door north of us.

from right to left is Pete, blank, lady, Ron M., Butch, lady, and Mikie.

Butch and I were so busy before we left Iowa that we missed his Podiatrist appointment so this event was a blessing. His feet have never looked better.

Linda P. was on the other end with me. Keny opted out. Maybe next time!

I should have taken a before and after of Butch's feet.

After the pedicure, Butch and I headed home. The walk on the bridge is one I think every American should make. First of all, it was very sad. There were several nationalities represented, some orientals, and mostly people who looked like us. The languages spoken were not SPANISH. We never heard one word of Spanish or anything that sounded like it. In speaking to a young Hispanic woman ahead of us in line she speculated they were mostly Ukrainian. They were all well-dressed, well-kempt, and polite.  They mostly looked like us. Not one of them looked shady in any way. Our world is such a mess on so many levels and we all need to put ourselves in their shoes because there is no guarantee that we will not be in the same predicament someday. One little red-headed, blue-eyed boy of about 3 caught my eye. He and his parents will be sleeping on a bridge tonight.

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Remember Butch and his episode of Vertigo? I had the same thing happen to me. I know how odd that sounds and believe me it was ODD. I woke up and went to the bathroom about 3:00 and when I came back to bed and sat on the edge of the bed, the room started spinning. I immediately tried to follow the same maneuver we had for Butch and it worked. I wasn't very sure I had remembered it properly. The vertigo went away but nausea stayed with me for a long time. I hope to never have it happen again but in talking to the folks who told us about the maneuver it still happens to them. Not often but it still lurks.

Getting old isn't easy, my friend!