Buttery Onion Soup: revised

Neighbor Kay S. said she made this recipe last night and it was excellent so I decided to post it again.
I think I will be making this tonight after I go to the store for some mozzarella cheese.

Buttery Onion Soup 4/5/2008

2 Cups thinly sliced onions
1/2 Cup butter or margarine
1/4 Cup flour
2 Cups chicken broth
2 Cups milk
8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Saute' onion in butter 20-30 minutes in 3 qt. sauce pan till nicely carmelized. Blend in
flour, add milk and broth, heat until boiling, boil one minute, reduce it
to low; remove from heat and let it cool down; the cool down process is important. Kay and I added the cheese on top of the bowl just before serving and this seemed to work well. Otherwise the cheese is stringy.

Motorhome Racing

Very funny ...and we will not be doing any racing on the way home.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gourYCpaJLU

RX List site

Do you want to know more about the meds your doctor has prescribed? I went to this site and found out oodles I did not know about the meds I take including what substances they are made from. Saffron is in one of my medications. I was impressed with this site.
RXList.com

Another Guy

Another fellow, name of Don, went to Progreso for diesel fuel in the 5 gallon containers. He did this right after Butch had gone down, in fact he went with Butch and then turned around to go back again to refill the tanks for the guy who owned them. They stopped him and chewed him out at the border. Told him that they could fine him as much as $250...but wouldn't this time. He assured them he would never be back for diesel fuel in a container again. I think the guys have been sufficiently educated on this issue.
I do not believe they would have even looked at him except their computer told them this was his second trip down for the day.
It is definitely tighter at the border. Don't mess with them.

Butch's Big Adventure:

Butch's Big Adventure:
As I am sure many of you know, Butch has been grumbling about fuel prices. A fellow in the park has been driving to Progreso for diesel fuel and he has an extra tank on the back of his truck but the pump didn't work. So he thought he would get it fixed and Butch had plans to go with him and then put the fuel they would purchase for about $2 a gallon in the MoHo. But the guy never got around to it!
Butch mentioned it often...then he had a conversation with another fellow in the park who had several tanks that he was taking down. So Butch borrowed the tanks and down we went for diesel fuel. We went with Dale C. in his truck. The guys filled up the tanks while Norma and I shopped. At the border on the way back Butch declared the diesel fuel and the border guy asked if it was for our personal use. "Yes" we said. Then he said,
"Are the lines hooked up direct to the truck?" and Dale said "Yes". Butch didn't hear that part.

Now Butch had to return today in our car to get the tanks filled up to replace the fuel that had belonged to the fellow he borrowed them from. So down he went. He didn't declare it and he didn't get checked. You are supposedly allowed to bring back 100 gallons as long as it is for personal use. But there was a fellow at the pumps who had been turned back at the border, sitting there with 100 gallons he could not get back across.
Butch didn't sleep too well over all this. I told him from the gitgo I didn't think all this hoopla was worth the hassle but of course he begged to differ with me.
I slept quite well last night. Oh by the way, he purchased 40 gallons at $2.15 a gallon. And we are done with that for now.

Angel Aware

Spoonbread

Make a postcard - it's easy!

Still Winter in Iowa

Sister Myrla sent this picture. It looks like Hewy is saying, "What alien life form is this?"

Overheard

Every now and then I overhear a snippet of conversation that tickles my funny bone. This is one that I heard a couple of days ago.
" Put your hearing aids in and get out here and listen to these birds!"

The Big Switch

We plan to sit tight for a week or two. Fuel prices for one and experience tells us it isn't all that warm up north. In years past I have said we wouldn't be going that way till the leaves were on the trees but that doesn't work either. The few prescriptions we take run out in April so we are obliged to get them renewed. And the leaves are not in full evidence until May. So we plan to leave here around April 11th and slowly travel north to Carthage MO. The Coachlight RV Park has exceedingly soft water so we plan to wash and wax our home there. Then from there up the road to see our Missouri kids. Iowa after that and I am assuming it will be at Lake Anita again till the doctor stuff is done. As of right now that should not amount to much.
My blogging emphasis has been on the Magnolia Park one but that will change once we are out the front gate. We will be in a different spot here next year. For a few years we have been on a spot designed for two small units and they would like us to take a different spot next year so we will be on #57 facing east. It will be nearly across the street from Bill & Jo, closer to the pool and all the other event places. I am sure we will like it fine.
The beauty of the full time lifestyle is that it can be defined in whatever manner suits us. And right now we are suited to doing just as we are. We hope you are too!

Homer & Bodie

Butch's cousin Willie sent this picture of her Dad, Butch's only surviving uncle and his Great Grandson Bodie.

So what...

So what have I been doing? Staying indoors as much as possible the past couple of days. Why you might ask? First off we are "enjoying" triple digit temperatures. Secondly I am suffering with high tree pollen allergies. So I am wearing a mask when I do go out. We need an air-clearing rain. It hasn't rained at all for what seems like a very long time.
Enough grumbling...
I enjoyed a visit via computer with Marvin Ludwig today. Marv was our square dance caller for many years. We discussed many subjects as we have always done every time we are together.

And then I started in on a long unfinished Swedish Weaving project that has been on the back burner for over a year. I am making progress on it and I am enjoying getting back to it.
Also I did three loads of laundry today.
Butch got a new tip put on his pool cue so had to try that out. Then he had a couple of electrical calls to attend to.
Fuel prices are affecting our Spring plans somewhat. We plan to stay here a bit longer than usual and then pretty much head straight North stopping in Carthage to do a spring cleaning of our movable home before venturing to Iowa for our doctor visits. I turned 65 this month so I may get a more thorough going over and that can take longer what with tests etc.

Straight from the Headlines

The following quote is copied straight from the Des Moines Register Headline...It sure tickled my funnybone!
Former councilman Brad Olson pleaded guilty today of second-degree theft and acknowledged "that there is strong evidence of my actual guilt."

Somebody should send this to Jay Leno...

Sunshine Getaway

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Laid Back in Texas

Busy Being Sick

Friends Donn and Peggy surprised and pleased us with a visit. Unfortunately I had another episode with illness. Don't ask me what it was I do not even know but I was treating it with DayQuil as it resembled a cold. I have a heart murmer...been there all my life. And after a particularly bad Monday morning with Butch taking me to the Doctor in somewhat of an emergency...felt like one to me! DayQuil and NyQuil is bad, bad, bad for Barb!!
So now I will be more properly medicated with a chest cold expectorant cough syrup and should be back up to snuff very soon.
I hope Donn and Peggy come back again so I can enjoy their visit as much as I wanted to. More pics later...

Surpised!

Long time friends Donn and Peggy Gordon from Carson City NV emailed us from San Antonio and said they were headed our way. What a surprise! They are staying on South Padre Island the lucky ducks! They arrived yesterday so Butch and I headed on down to see them. We ate at Pirate's Landing in Port Isabel and most of you know by now that is one of my favorite places to eat...that and Dirty Al's. Butch, not being fond of seafood, we chose Pirate's Landing this time. More non-seafood choices there. He is especially partial to their Chicken Fajita. It is great to see Donn and Peggy and we will be doing as many tourist things as we can cram in a few days. Tomorrow we will go to Mexico...the next day is a birthday party for the many friends we have with March birthdays...me included and Sunday is free as yet but I am sure we will do something.
I think they got sick of winter. Anybody else up there thinking that way?

Not much

Not much going on...taking it easy and fully recovering. The tree pollen count is very high as the leaves are budding out. The parrots sure like those buds and stop for a snack usually morning and evening.
I had fun yesterday working on a couple of computers. One was a simple problem. It was a new Dell completely underpowered. Doubled the memory and made a world of difference. Vista takes 1 GB to even start up in a timely manner so don't buy a new one with Vista containing less than that amount of RAM. The other problem proved to be a bit trickier. Another new Dell laptop and the windows updates would not install. There were seven to install and I managed to get 4 but the other 3 would not go. Investigating on the net said to start into regedit and I am not confident enough to do that so I had to advise they call Dell Tech support. First time I have had to tell someone that this season.
Here is a little cartoon for your added enjoyment.

All Better Now

Okay, enough of the sick talk. I would say I probably had the flu and no, I did not get a flu shot this year. Next year I will. I am much better now in fact very close to normal. Glad it is all behind me. Tonight I am playing in the park pool event and tomorrow is computer class as usual. I am up for it!!

Butch is home...

He came home early after driving all night. And he came home to a sick wife. I became sick Saturday night and I am now beginning to feel somewhat normal...this is Wednesday. I have hopes of being back up to speed very soon but there haven't been any additions to the blog primarily due to illness. In fact a nap is sounding very good right now....

Butch will be...

Butch will be on the road bright and early Saturday morning. Friends Terry and Lisa have sold their house in Canyon Lake TX and will be heading home to take care of that so they are consequently leaving a day earlier than planned. I think the three of them are ready to head south although I am sure they enjoyed their stay thoroughly. I am ready for the old guy to get back home so we can resume our life together. It feels a bit like my right arm has been missing. I will be glad to get it back!! The cat misses him as well.
I have many friends in the park and they have all made sure I haven't wanted for anything while he was gone and I sure appreciate everything that has been done for me.
Be sure to check the Magnolia blog too for things of interest. The link is on this page too.

Digital Converter Box for TV

Will you be needing one?

This is the link to apply for the coupon for the digital converter box. You are allowed two coupons.

www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/index.html.

To the Casino!!

Hontas, Yunita, Butch, Terry and Lisa went to Central City CO to gamble a bit. There isn't any TV at Snow Mountain Ranch which pushes you to find other pursuits of happiness!

The Weather Channel Desktop

The Weather Channel desktop is what I use to stay on top of the weather no matter where we are. I change the location settings as we move from place to place. Right now we are set for Donna Texas of course. A foghorn or thunder sound is what I hear when an alert is sounded. This morning we have a fog alert.
It is a free download and you can find it here.

The Weather Channel Desktop download

Skier Butch

Butch called a few days ago and told me he had been told it was wise to either buy or rent a helmet. He has skied many other years without one but recently we had read of a snowboarder at Breckinridge who had died and he was wearing a helmet! Snowboarding is dangerous at best!! So Butch bought a helmet. Last night he called and told me he had a bad fall and credited the helmet with saving him from far more serious injury. He is fine but he said it was indeed a bad incident.


Gary and Jason are there with Butch now and for the next couple of days. I am sure they are having a good time.

I am not lonely. I simply have not had time to even think about being lonely. Sundays and Thursdays are my light duty days the rest are as full as I care to have them. Make no mistake, I am having fun doing what I want to do.

Traveler IQ

Have fun with the Traveler IQ

http://www.travelpod.com/traveler-iq

Fuel Woes

Fuel Price Woes – some helpful hints!

Our RVs might not move down the road as often as we’d like, but we feel your pain. Here are some hints about maximizing your fuel efficiency and fuel-related web links.

The experts we consulted all agree that getting back to the basics of good vehicle maintenance is key to controlling the gas mileage your RV or tow vehicle achieves.

Tires: Good tread, along with inflation pressure that is appropriate to the vehicle and road conditions, is very important.

Filters: Be vigilant about the cleanliness of your air and fuel filters.

Speed: Slow and steady wins the gas mileage race. Don’t rush to get up to speed. Make your cruising speed slower than you might have in the past because 55-60 mph can save you some money. The fueleconomy.gov website says, “… you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas.”

Reduce idling time; idling gets 0 mpg.

Use your cruise control when you can; it’s more reliable at maintaining a steady speed than your foot!

Use a cash-back rewards credit card or gas card to purchase fuel. Every little bit helps.

This website, http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/gasprices/states/, is really handy. Just click on the state you’re wondering about and information about fuel prices and trends in that state is readily available.

The gas buddy website, http://www.gasbuddy.com/, includes the Canadian provinces.

Kite Festival

8th South Padre Kite Festival

Dandy Dog Dude


Unique hairdo on an old guy

Ready to Fly

From Lisa Linder at Snow Mountain Ranch

Hopi Campground where Butch and I worked all summer

Lisa makes an angel


Today it is -12but it is beautiful.

The first picture is a cabin here at SMR, the second picture is Hopi campground with the continental divide in the background. The rest are the "perfect" snow angel!!!!

Today Terry and I went walking all over the place and we went ICE SKATING. Believe it or not, no broken bones to report. We were going to cross country ski, but there was not instructors. And yes, we did let go of the rails when we were ice skating, and NO FALLS!!!!

Tonight SWIM AREOBICS for me. Last night when I left the swimming pool and walked to the truck my hair froze - for real.

-12 is like -27. But, it is so much fun.

Love,

Lisa

P.S. we saw a fox today basking in the sun, but, by the time I turned on the camera he disappeared into his hole. but, I will be presistent and get a picture of him to send.

Here is Butch!!

This is Butch on the webcam at SMR. He called me and told me he was in the area and I had to keep watching. It takes a new picture every 5 minutes and it takes awhile before it shows up on the website. Looks like a beautiful day at SMR.

Shipley's Fish Fry

Sunday before Butch left we went to Bert and Wayne Shipley's annual fish fry. Everything was very delicious and you can see that the Brooker's were clustered up and laughing. Pictured are Bill, Bernard, Mark, Marlene and Jo.

Butch is here...

This is a webcam shot from yesterday and this is where Butch is staying. If you would like to see webcam shots from there click on the link on the right.

For the checkers

I know I am behind! I have pictures to post and things to tell you so check in later today for this morning I am going biking and when I get back I am making the Crockpot Tequila Pie for supper so after that perhaps I can get caught up with the blogs.
Later!!

Hectic Day

The new park directories went on sale today so I had to be up at the hall early before coffee time to sell them. Then being a member of Warblers singing group I was scheduled to sing at 9:30 when coffee hour started. Then there were last minute sales before leaving for the golf course that I am now in charge of since Butch is in Colorado. Shot a 38 for 9 holes ...the best score I have had this year. Came home... took a twenty minute nap ...went to the neighbors for a small gathering ...drank a Bailey's...came home and burnt my supper. Too much Bailey's!! Sitting here sweating...probably from the Baileys but then it is still 76 degrees tonight. Jason called earlier from Boone IA and told me to go outside and face north and blow. Hovering around zero up there.
Butch called too. He said he had made it to Snow Mountain Ranch and was getting settled into his room. Lucky guy! So far he doesn't have any roommates. That could change at any time though. He said he was puffing pretty good going up three flights of stairs to his room. Altitude.
That is it for now. I am ready to take a break and let the Bailey's wear off!

Animal Rescue

Sister Myrla does animal rescue. Her "new" cat named Church has it better than he used to!
Hewy loves Church by the way.

Churches hut has layers of blankets and plastic.

Border Crossing Trouble

This one is a must read if you plan to go to Mexico. Congress be da$%&* they are going to be tough at the border. And this begins January 31st

http://www.rvtravel.com/blog/canada/2008/01/homeland-security-locks-horns-with.html

Butch is leaving...

to go to Colorado and Snow Mountain Ranch for three weeks. Angel and I are staying in sunny south Texas. Butch is putting in three weeks of volunteer work to have the privilege of skiing in Colorado high country . He bought the ski's he is in a toot to use at a garage sale in Denver last summer while we were at Snow Mountain Ranch. Gary and Jason will be joining him up there for a few days of that three weeks. He is leaving here Sunday and driving to Canyon Lake TX just north of San Antonio and riding up with Terry and Lisa Linder who we met last summer at Snow Mountain Ranch. These Texas people are going back for three weeks to get a taste of winter. I think they are all silly but that's just me!
For those who wonder I am not taking Butch to San Antonio and will be without a car for three weeks. Before you make him out to be the bad guy that is my choice. It saves me two ten hour days of driving by letting him have the car. In the meantime I am in a park with many friends who are more than happy to help me out.
Angel and I will do fine...it remains to be seen how the ol' guy will do. I am sure I will know before long. Neither of us can remember being apart for that length of time in our 49 years of marriage. Butch used to travel in his job both in sales and in line work on storms etc. but never was he gone for more than two weeks.
I am in the perfect place for him to do this because of the support system in place for me and the schedule here is hectic. Never time to get too lonely...but three weeks will be long enough.

Blogger Barb

Where oh where has Barb the blogger been?!!! Putting the park directory together is the answer. It has been taken to the printer and they should be ready for purchase within the next week. There are 208 entries and 21 lack a picture. Now some of those do not want their picture in there. So I am not totally to blame for those that are missing. I do what I have to to get pictures. You will notice one fellow is in the swimming pool when his picture was taken.
Until this project is out of my hands I am tinkering with it so now the tinkering is done and I can get on with other things like catching up the blogs.

Bill & Maggie

My first attempt at posting a video. I think I made it too big...

Ocelot Info

How rare is this cat ? The International Species Information Service lists 217 worldwide, with 108 being in the U.S.
WHOOPS...107!!
You can go to this site to find out more about the Ocelot.
http://www.bigcatrescue.org/ocelot.htm

I have been asked where we saw the dead Ocelot and it was about a mile west of the Intersection of Expressway 83 and Hwy 100. We were headed to Los Fresnos TX

Oh My...a DEAD Cat!!

I have had much feedback on the dead cat after I sent out the call. One guy said "I saw that dead cat." And then there was this response from my friend and former classmate Jayne.

"GOTTA TELL YOU MY STORY -

THE FIRST DAY WE WERE IN BIG BEND, WE WENT FOR A RIDE EARLY IN THE MORNING.

SINCE IT WAS CHRISTMAS DAY, TRAFFIC WAS SLOW TO NONE. WE CAME BY A ROAD

KILL BOBCAT. WE JUMPED OUT WITH CAMERAS, TOOK LOTS OF MACRO SHOTS, ESPECIALLY OF THE FACE AND HEAD. ALL THIS TIME NOT ONE CAR CAME BY US.

ANYWAY, WE FINALLY WENT ON UP THE ROAD ABOUT TWO MILES AND DECIDED TO

GO BACK AND THROW THE CAT IN THE BACK OF THE PICKUP. MAYBE SOMEONE

WOULD WANT TO STUFF IT SINCE IT HAD NO "DAMAGE". WELL, IT WAS GONE --

AND WE HAD NOT MET ANY CARS! SO WAS IT JUST STUNNED ?? IMAGINE WHAT

WAS GOING THROUGH THAT CAT'S HEAD --

ENJOY YOUR DAY. IT IS SNOWING HERE - BUT IT IS BEAUTIFUL ----"

JAYNE

Too Cute!!

Los Fresnos and S. Padre

On the way to see a classmate of Butch's in Los Fresnos we happened to spot this dead ocelot alongside the road. It was about the size of a medium size dog. It is the first time I have seen roadkill of that kind!! Mary Ellen and Brian Carlson




Mary Ellen Minnehan Carlson was a classmate of Butch's that we haven't seen in 30-40 years.
In those long ago years we had a lot of laughs and we had a bunch of fun with Mary and Brian yesterday too.

Polarity testing

The following is from an RV newsletter we subscribe to...

Bill's Hints
From Motorhomes Made Easy
"Carry a 'polarity tester,' available in RV stores. Use it before plugging in at an unfamiliar campground. It's small, inexpensive, and displays two green or amber lights when plugged into a properly wired outlet. Using one of your adapters, you can test the campground outlet before you plug in."

And Butch says you would be amazed how often he finds reversed polarity in peoples homes.

Trivia

Trivia. . .
When you look at the full moon, what you see is only one-fifth the size of Africa. And speaking of the moon, the last time a human walked on its surface was in 1979.

Tell me why?

Tell me why did this dog bring me this bowl?










She is begging for beer!!

Last Blooms of Summer

After Labor Day when we were getting ready to close the campground for the season, Marilyn offered to let me have one of the hanging baskets that had decorated the place all summer. After all, cold weather was approaching and they would not last long in cold temperatures. Butch grumbled a bit about ALL my flowers but I just let him grumble. Well here it is a whole new year in January and my basket is still looking good! I must admit that it is like a needy pet and needs fed and watered daily. And a haircut once in a while but I don't have to take it for a walk.

Gentle nudge

I received a gentle nudge from friend Peggy that I hadn't posted for 5 days. I was shocked but not surprised. If you do not see anything on this one for a while go check the other one. It is listed under "Links" on this page. We are in the park now and that one tends to get more of my attention. Also I am now needing to start on the park directory and I seem to have trouble finding time to get started. It is no wonder we feel like we go on vacation when we leave the valley. There is so much that we do here. Not that we are complaining...it IS one of the things we like about being here. And then little life things come into play as well. Like my printer went belly up. Hated that too because I really liked it. The one I have now is considerably larger though cheaper. But the choosing and purchasing of a new one is time consuming...and then we have installing it and getting used to it etc.
I had it all in my mind how doing the directory this year would be a much easier procedure and it might have been had I remembered how I had it all nailed down. I spent quite a bit of time yesterday getting reacquainted with how I was successful last year. Still not quite there but in the meantime my email had piled up so needed to do lots of deleting and a little answering.
So give me a nudge when I need it or go check the other one...Oh! and Butch is either doing golf, pool or helping someone with an electrical problem but you are not likely to hear from him anyway!

An old tired dog...

An old, tired-looking dog wandered into the yard. I could tell from
his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home.
He followed me into the house, down the hall, and fell asleep in a corner.
An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.
The next day he was back, resumed his position in the hall, and slept
for an hour. This continued for several weeks.
Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: "Every afternoon your dog
comes to my house for a nap."
The next day he arrived with a different note pinned to his collar:
"He lives in a home with ten children -- he's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?"

Myrla at a Clinton Speech in Ft Dodge IA

Click on it!

Computers Plus

When I get down here and start computer class it is like going to school. I have to get myself updated on a myriad of issues. Very good exercise for the brain cells. Today we had the dreaded BLUE SCREEN on two different computers. On one it was brand new and there was no apparent reason for it. So we took the battery out then reinserted it and it seemed to take care of the problem as it was back to normal. BUT isn't that a scary happening after buying a new one? Do they take it back to the store before the time period has elapsed whereby they would have to deal with the computer manufacturer ( in this case Toshiba)? Or was it a one time incident never to occur again? Dilemma!
The other one was an older computer and she needs her recovery disc. But her recovery disc is in South Dakota. Do you have someone go into your house and get it and mail it to you? Think about that one for a moment...hmmm, where exactly did I put that thing?.... or do you take it to an unknown fix it person down here that would be able to use an unknown recovery disc and may charge you an unknown amount and perhaps not fix it right even then. Dilemma!!

On a brighter note, at least for me, brother in law Bill's children bought him a new laptop computer for Christmas. Toshiba- Windows Vista-very nice computer but it had 512MB of RAM. In the olden days that was plenty but remember this is the new and not improved VISTA!! It takes 1 GB of RAM just to get up in the morning and 2GB makes it purr like a kitten. So he was having more than a few memory issues. I went online in search of more RAM memory to add to his computer. I googled the specs for his particular model and found a 2 day online sale at Best Buy that was expiring that night. I went ahead and ordered 2- 1GB chips at $29.95 each (Regular $93 each) for in-store pick-up in McAllen. Best Buy has this deal whereby you order online and go to the store to pick it up...I think you have to give them an hour first...and if they do not have it ready and give it to you in one minute you get $10 off! You guessed it!! They did have it but it wasn't ready so I got $10 off of EACH item-making my purchase total $43!! I was impressed!!
Step two- Had to get this installed and working. I haven't done that in awhile and not on a laptop. Best Buy would have done it but it would have cost $126. For that much I figured I would try. It went smooth as silk and he is now buzzing along with 2GB of Ram memory. I was so proud!!!
So my time has been used up getting computer issues resolved or partly resolved. I like that for a change of pace. The only time I do not like it is when I have to pronounce the patient dead or in a vegetative state. For so many of us anymore the computer and email is our lifeline to back home and who better than I understands that. So when you do not see a post on here for a few days you can bet that I am working on computer issues...or maybe I am in Mexico sipping on a Margarita!!

Myrla and Scott

Many of you have seen Myrla and Scott's dog pictures...remember Hewy?...But she sent me this great picture of them and so I thought I would show you what the dog masters look like.