Haircut

Angel is having a flea problem. We knew the fleas were bad here because she had a problem last year and after we got her cleared up we vowed that we would stay ahead of it this year by making sure she was treated well ahead of her arrival. And we did! But what we have discovered is that Frontline Plus no longer works on her. And after doing a google search on the subject she is not alone. So now we are using a different treatment. Revolution. The jury is still out. We treated her a few days ago and the fleas seem weak and disoriented but they are not dead. SO...yesterday we gave her a haircut and a bath. That seems to have helped tremendously but it is not an ordeal I want to put her through again! So now she doesn't have her heavy coat on and the weather is far from toasty. We are running our heat a little higher to help her compensate

Mexico

We went to Mexico yesterday with Bill and Jo and new neighbors Dale and Joyce Gunderson. It was crowded. Either the people there did not know about the drug war battle the first part of December or like us decided to take our chances.
I would say it was a bit less busy than a year ago at this time but not by much. We purchased some vanilla. The big bottle of Valencadora is $3.70 this year. Up another dime. I also picked up some Naproxen (Aleve) 500 mg. sixty tablets for $5.50.

Pics from Bro Leo

These are snow pictures of Leo and Keri's place. We see the pavement when we are there!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Interesting Post

I subscribe to a Yahoo RV group and I found this post to be very interesting. A person can live dirt cheap if they are of a mind to. We do not care to live this spartan but for those who do this sounds pretty good. I thought some of you might find this an interesting read if nothing else.
Barb

From a man named Fred:
"I happened onto my present unadvertised (not on the Net) semi-boondocking itty-bitty RV park (40 units on 40 acres: lots of room for each RV site) in the middle of nowhere (about 60-70 miles from Quartzsite, no neighbors outside the park for several miles) via a friend while shopping around for a winter parking area. Advantages of where I'm at right now: a permanent site (can develop it anyway we want: I have two sheds, an outdoor model RR layout, ham radio antennas, minor landscaping with transplanted cactus) which I can
leave in place year round (I travel during the summer, much less so in winter since everyplace else north of the SW has that white stuff) as long as I pay my rent ($400/yr). Nearest RV neighbor over 200' away. QUIET. Co-op type community with clubhouse, park showerhouse and laundry; security is not a problem although many of us are quite security conscious. Disadvantages (depending upon one's perception): we provide out own electricity via solar, wind, or generators; water available for only two hours per day; black water pumpout twice per week by sign-up; marginal cellphone reception; season is 1 Oct to 1 May and most of clear out by mid-April due to the high temps; and a really unpleasant park manager (I'm being kind here). My 3+-yr old kitten can run free to chase lizards, rattlesnakes, woodrats and other rodents.

The only other similar RV park in AZ of which I am aware is in Ajo which is too far away from the nearest VA facility. I'd boondock on nearby BLM land but security and permanence would then become major issues. Until I find a better situation, I'm not about to move into what would amount to a full boondocking area for six months (I don't think there is such a thing as a "prefect" RV situation). Again, to each his/her own; cost is less of a factor for me than a place to settle for winter months where I can be left alone."

His next post:

If you know about Snowbird West RV Park, then you know it's the best kept open secret in the southwest RV world. This is my sixth season here and I have no intent to move elsewhere for future winters nor anyplace else which has even a chance of seeing that white stuff from the sky.

SBW is definitely underutilized because the owner would rather use it as a tax write-off than as a profitable endeavor (she declined to shell out the $100/year for a website domain). Besides the 40 or so permanent sites, we have some 50 additional transient sites for overnighters, weekly, or monthly RVer folk who might want to check it out or just stay for a little while. The park has never been in an "overcrowded" condition with wall-to-wall RVs 10' apart nor have we ever had to take a number in a line to take a shower.

When I first came here in Oct 2004, I stayed in the transient section for a couple weeks because I didn't believe this place was too good to be true and didn't have some sort of hidden major problem, agenda, nor hang-up. I quickly learned that SBW was an ideal location and became a permanent resident. We've got folk who have been here for over 20 years. We permanents tamed the nasty park manager (in his 80s) and all is now quite pleasant with each resident making his/own determination about how active s/he wants to be in the park's community and social life. There's Bingo every Wed and Sat evenings in the clubhouse and card and dominoes most every day, none of which in which I participate, Thanksgiving, Xmas, and New Year's dinners (a FEAST for us single males tired of our own cooking; the ladies here love to cook and bake!), occasional pancake breakfasts, and coming up on 14 Feb is a "Sweetheart Breakfast". I'm a loner, don't participate all that much in social activities but if I want to get out, I have that option.

Also as stated earlier, I have the room for my site set up for my model RR, ham radio antennas, and two storage sheds plus a sun/rain tarp with frame to keep me comfortable and busy during winter months. I don't have to move anything except my RV travel trailer when I leave in mid-April when the temps hit the 100s.

There are disadvantages, as mentioned before: our post office (Salome, AZ 85348) is 25 miles away one way (we take turns picking up the park mail); choice of receiving mail via the park PO Box or renting one on your own (I have my own, check it once or twice per week); the nearest Walmart/Safeway is 50 miles one way; my VA in Prescott is 105 miles one way. Salome has propane, gas, a small mini-mart, and RV repairs albeit for higher prices.

Exit 69 (Ave 75E) off Arizona I-10, 1.5 miles north (can't go south on the Exit) on right side of the dirt road. Five bucks per night for transients, $400 for the 1 Oct to 1 May season.

Fred
Snowbird West RV Park

I was naughty

I got a talkin' to by good friend Peggy G. Told me I hadn't posted since Tuesday and I was shocked to find she was correct. I have had a most busy week part of which I can put on this blog but not the other.
On Monday our new neighbors told us they weren't staying in the tiny little trailer they had rented for the winter. They said it was too small and there were other issues I will not go into here but we hated to see them go as they were a nice addition to the park. They are younger retirees and I am sure they will be a good fit once they are happier with their accommodations. We had gotten to know them a little as we had went out to eat with them on Sunday. So when they decided to leave I told them to hang in there for a bit and I would see if we could find them a place. So long story short I made a few calls and they landed in a 2 bedroom,2 bath mobile home that is very nice for not much more than they had been paying. They ended up much happier and very grateful for the part I played. Their former landlord is not happy.

So then on Wednesday we went to Mexico. The first time since the drug cartel shooting in early December. Our new friends, Dale and Joyce along with Bill and Jo Brooker went with us and we did the usual touristy stuff. It looked normal to me down there. The crowds are perhaps a little lighter but not much. Enjoyed the Panchos at Garcia's as much as ever.
And then the cold weather set in but it seems we are always super busy. We have had a bit of park stuff to take care of. We do have to earn our keep!
Today we did the omelets in a bag for Saturday morning breakfast in Allen Hall. Leslie C. and I put together 50 omelets! It wore me out so after a nap I started cleaning house and finished most of it in between people rap, rap, rapping at my door.
Oh and I did do a bit of preliminary work on getting the directory put together. It has seemed like a most busy week but I am sure there are busier ones ahead.
Thanks for the nudge, Peg!

Nina Grace-13 months

Weather News

Whether the weather is cold,
Whether the weather is hot,
Whatever the weather,
We'll weather the weather,
Whether we like it or not!
I first shared that little ditty with my friends at Senior Haven and lo and behold I still remember it.
We are in for some wicked arctic temps the end of this week. Don't laugh!! We are getting into the 20's and that is a big deal down here. But we will weather the weather!!

Yikes

Quite a lot has happened since the last post. Nothing earth shattering. We have been to the El Dorado...our favorite place to eat. The park is nearly full as most everyone who is coming arrived this week. There will be a few more arrivals trickle in but from now on out it will be a trickle.
This morning the other Brooker's and Toomire's and us went to Denny's for breakfast. And then it was garage sale day so we checked that out.
We are still experiencing cool temps. We usually have temperatures in the 70's and 80's for daytime highs but this year it is hard put to get even close to that. I still have hopes it will get better soon.
The guys are golfing this afternoon.
Till next time...

DirectTV

So we called DirectTV. They seem to be used to getting the calls because they start coming with offers. So the bottom line is our bill has been reduced by $15 for a one year period. They made sure we understood it was only for one year. I made sure they understood we would reassess our thoughts on it in one year also. So for now we still have it including a National feed for PBS. I will make another call next year.
I hope I get to talk to Marsha again...

Another cold and rainy day

With the weather being cold and drizzly we went to a movie yesterday with Bill and Jo and saw The Blindside. It is a great movie but more than a bit of a tear jerker. Take at least 3 kleenex, maybe 4.
H.E.B. had pork roast on sale for 97 cents a while back and I bought one and cooked it in the crockpot. It was about a 7 pound roast so I had to freeze some for use another time or we were going to get very tired of pork. So when I ran across this recipe it sounded ideal for using up some pork and indeed it was! I poured it over tortilla chips (white ones)and then sprinkled on grated Mexican blend cheese. It was yummy and a make again recipe for me.


Slow Cooker Mexican Pork
1 lb boneless pork loin roast, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 1/4 cups Old El Paso® Thick 'n Chunky salsa (from 24-oz jar)
1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso® chopped green chiles, drained
1 can (15 oz) Progresso® black beans, drained, rinsed
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (4 oz), if desired

1. In 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker, mix pork, salsa and chiles.
2. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 6 to 8 hours.
3. Stir in beans. Cover; cook on Low heat setting about 5 minutes or until beans are hot. Sprinkle with cheese.

Substitution
Vary the taste by using pinto beans instead of black beans and Cheddar cheese instead of Monterey Jack cheese.
Special Touch:
Serve over hot cooked rice or tortilla chips. Top with a dollop of guacamole or sour cream.
Nutrition Information:
1 Serving: Calories 370 (Calories from Fat 90); Total Fat 10g (Saturated Fat 3g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 70mg;
Sodium 1550mg; Total Carbohydrate 39g (Dietary Fiber 10g, Sugars 6g); Protein 33g Percent Daily
Value*: Vitamin A 20%; Vitamin C 4%; Calcium 8%; Iron 20% Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 0
Vegetable; 4 Very Lean Meat; 1 Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 2 1/2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

No More Free TV

Yesterday we received an email from DirectTV informing us our bill would be going up in February. Our bill is already $85 a month. We pay an extra $10 a month for high definition another $10 a month for local feeds of both coasts and we do not get public television, which when we are in Iowa is our most watched station. Part of our expense is because we are in the RV and move from location to location. So we are weighing in on what we are going to do about this. Our first instinct and most likely solution is to give it up entirely. We will get TV off the antenna and settle for whatever shows up. Well according to the news this morning in two different locations, nothing much is going to show up.
We first discovered we were in a fix when they went from analog to digital. The minute the big switch was made our number of TV stations we could watch off the antenna dropped to practically nothing and in some locations it was nothing!! In order to get TV at all we were forced to subscribe to cable or satellite. Now who and how did that happen?!!? I have a few ( Big Business) guesses (Big Business). They snuck that one past us pretty easy!!
The two articles below are both about TV and rates of such. I am about ready to tell them to stick it up their old wazoo and we will go to reading books, taking more walks and getting more Netflix movies.

Http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091229/ap_en_tv/us_free_broadcasters_in_peril

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20091229/SPORTS020502/912290360/Sinclair-No-deal-Mediacom-hopeful

Leo's Winter Photos

What kind of pie was that, Keri? Looks very yummy

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Christmas Morn

When I arose this morning the sky was brilliant. One of these shots is through the front window with the screen on but it embodies Christmas here with the palm tree, the Christmas tree and the pinkest of sunrises. I stepped outdoors in my jammies for a couple of the shots. We are having a cool Christmas with highs in the 60's. Nothing like what is happening further north.

From Son Gary

I went to 4 different ski resorts in 4 days. Perfect plan for a guy who likes to explore different places and see what they have to offer! I left immediately after my half day of school Friday and drove clear to Denver and thanks to the time change was in bed by 10:30pm. I got up early enough to ski a full day at Keystone prior to finding the Leadville Hostel where I stayed. www.leadvillehostel.com

I give the hostel a thumbs up! You can bring your own food and keep it in their huge commercial fridge and fix good meals for yourself in their kitchen. The bathroom is clean and the showers blast the water. The beds are comfortable and despite 17 boy scouts there the first night it was always quiet at night. They have commercial washers and dryers available to wash up clothes and not bring a ton with you. They have two big TV's to watch Direct TV channels. Internet is available to use for a charge and a nice pool table for $0.50 a game. For a charge of $18 per night you can't beat it anywhere. They've been doing this a long time and they have their system down pat.

They are a little low on snow at Keystone and I scratched up my skis on their open runs. 2nd ski day I went to Breckenridge and it has a little more snow on the hill than Keystone. It was very crowded which I think is normal for them but they also had a big event competition going on. Despite the crowd I only waited once for a real long time in a singles line.

I met a volunteer ski patrol guy in the Hostel who has done that job for nearly 30 years at Ski Cooper. He gave me a free pass and talked me into trying his ski place. Ski Cooper was a huge surprise to me! I thought it was fairly small from Internet research and he told me they only had 2 lifts and they are slow. He was right that the lifts are slow and that was the only drawback. The runs are all over a mile long. The green runs are tough. They are steeper than Steamboat blue runs. They do not blow ANY artificial snow there but they don't have to because they get lots of natural stuff. They had the most snow of any of the 4 places I went on this trip. It was the only resort where I skied some powder on the trip. There are lots of beautiful glade runs. I will definitely go back to the Hostel and back to Ski Cooper on other Colorado trips.

My last ski day was only planned for a half day prior to running out of town to beat a snow storm in the Mountains and an ice storm in Kansas. I picked the right place for a short day. I started skiing at 9:20am and by 10:30 am I had skied every single open run at Arapahoe Basin. It was a very fun trip of exploration.
My other possible trips for the season are Feb 12 - 14 and March 11 - 14 if anybody decides to tag along.

What I miss about snow

SOUND OF NOTHING

There is no sound quite like the sound of snow falling. At such times I
love standing in a white blanketing field, wrapped warmly in a goose
down jacket and fleece-lined ear muffs, staring up at the diffusing
snowflakes as they scurry about, and -- listening to the sound that
nothing makes.

Wishin' and Hopin'

The last many times son Jason has called to chat he has found that we are too, too busy and we have to call back. He said he understood and was glad that we were having fun. Sometimes it is a fine line between fun and too busy. And many times in the past week we have been riding that line. The holiday season adds to the hustle and bustle too
So perhaps things will slow down a bit in January...yeah right!!
We had a fine parade yesterday in the park and pictures will be posted soon. I led the parade with antlers and red nose. I didn't get a picture of myself but I hope someone will send me one.

Long time

It has been a very long time since we have experienced weather like we have had the past two days. In fact it quit a few minutes ago! It rained nonstop all day yesterday starting about 3:00AM until now at 7:00 AM this morning. It was not a heavy rain. Moderate would be more appropriate but there was no let up in it. I think it was the first day I did not get either of my walks done. To top it off it was a chilly 45 degrees all day. We do not get many of those either. Thank God!

Up Close

Good parrot pictures can be a bit challenging. I tweaked this one a bit but if you click on it it will be very close. I took this one outside our motorhome. I was standing less than 10 feet from our front door.
 

Wild Parrots

 

Jo and her centerpiece

Jo Brooker at Craft Class assembling her pine cone centerpiece. 18 of us made them and they will be placed on the tables for Christmas after which we can take them home.