Friday, March 18

Spring Cleaning

And here is a website to help.


How to Clean Anything
http://www.howtocleananything.com/

"Welcome to HowToCleanAnything.com. The idea for the site started with a
group of cleaning professionals getting together to exchange tips and
techniques. The idea developed in what you see today. There are more
than 1300 free cleaning tips on this site, and growing every day."

Thursday, March 17

Our Boys on the Slopes

From Gary:
Went to the little Ski Cooper today. Cost us $33.50 for the lift ticket. Found some tough enough parts to help Jason fall on his butt.

At the hostel



Monday, March 14

From Grandpa Gary

Grandpa has slowed down on getting good baby video. I need to get one of her giggle fests on camera!
Elise Hungry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YZjgAthXjA
Elise on Stairs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2cfBUWssGU

Saturday, March 12

Blessed Relief

I had time for a nap today!! Whoo Hoo And I was able to get some beading done. A group of us have been getting together on Saturday afternoons and doing some beading when we can. It has been great. And then to top it off Peggy and Donn invited us over for supper. It has been a very long time since I have had such a wonderful homecooked meal. Salisbury Steak, Mashed potatoes, Crockpot corn, Fresh baked buns followed by ice cream for dessert. It was scrumptious.

Thursday, March 10

Devon

Don and Karla Hiller's son Devon made the front page of the Ogden paper. Karla is my sister Jayne's girl. We will be back in their neighborhood next month. That Devon is still a cutie.

Slow Down

Things are beginning to slow down around here. People are starting to leave. The election is over and I am president of the association for one more year. I have a couple of new board members to work with and that is okay. We will do fine. It was a bit of a surprise although I knew change was in the wind.
I only had one thing on my agenda today and that was to get a haircut. That slow a day has not happened for a good long time. It felt good. Soon our sights will be looking northward. We are already taking baby steps in that direction. Starting to look at my cupboards in a new way to get things secured for the trip. Starting to find secure places to put things and make room to put outdoor things away. We have to get in a trip to Mexico to make sure we have enough of the meds we need to last till we get back. Yes, Jason, I do remember your stuff too. We plan to bring back grapefruit. We haven't done that for many years. BUT in the meantime we will continue to enjoy the warmth as we know it isn't the same where we are headed.
Don't forget to Spring Forward on your clock this weekend. I wish they would just forget it and leave it alone but I will be amazed if that ever happens.

Here we have Yin and Yang. A couple of puppy girls Butch has to stop and pet.

Sunday, March 6

Saturday, March 5

Cleaning Day

Waiting for Butch to finish his breakfast, then we will get our walk in followed by some more than cursory cleaning. I can only let it go so long. I think everyone has their own intolerance level and I have reached mine. So just a brief note this morning...
Till next time...

Friday, March 4

Lately

I did get a picture of this ankle bracelet before it went to its rightful owner. I liked the way this one turned out.

March 2011 Birthday Bash- For the past 6 years the Stilsons have hosted a birthday party for March birthdays. From l. to R. Peggy Gordon ( Feb 23,close enough), Dale Cooklin (March 1st), Bill Stilson (March 3rd), Jo Levin (March 4th) and Barb Brooker ( March 6th)



We had a great time!

Wednesday, March 2

Soooo Behind

I am so behind with computer work I may never get caught up. I am talking my own here. It is one of those times when I may 'select all' in my email and hit delete. I say that in jest. Although I do scan through and look for familiar names and at least read those.

It is the busiest time here in the park. The last business meeting of the season and the election are next Monday. It will really slow down after that. A certain amount of politics is inevitable in this situation. Some years more than others and this one seems to be very active. What will be,will be.

Butch has been busy with golf and pool as usual. I am still finding time to make bracelets and sell them. I have two to deliver today. Butch says he is a "kept man" this year as the income from bracelet sales has kept us from needing to go to the ATM. In other words, it has kept us in pocket money.

This morning I am assisting some new computer users in getting their computer set up. Butch has to dump the black tank. I would rather have my job even though his only takes a minute.

Hmmm...Maybe I can find time to vacuum...tomorrow!! Smileycons!

Monday, February 28

Link of the Day

Quick, which country has the most Internet users? What about the number
of cars on the road? Which countries use nuclear power? These types of
questions don't often pop up in real life. But there are situations
where this information is important. School projects and political
discussions are two good examples. Unfortunately, wading through
statistical information is boring. After a while, the numbers all run
together but not with mapping the wrold.

It starts with a standard map of the world. Selecting a topic modifies
the map. Countries grow and shrink to match the statistical data.
Hovering your mouse over a country gives you more information. It's an
easy way to visualize information. And you can even submit information
to be added on a topic.

http://show.mappingworlds.com/world/?lang=EN

Saturday, February 26

Good Morning

This is how my day starts...

She lost her man...

Thursday, February 24

Forgot two items

Friday afternoon is free entertainment provided by the park manager Dottie as a Thanks to all of us. Also open to outside people. Hmmm. Will Butch give up Bridge? He might have to if the other bridge players do.
And then on Sunday afternoon there is a Mardi Gras parade that I have offered to lead. It is my usual walk route so the thought process is easy. And that takes us into Monday where we finish up the cluster bracelet in crafts at 1:00 and then I have a board meeting at 3:00.
Now you may have some inkling why this blog lacks the attention it deserves at times.
So I must now get on with my day...

Wednesday, February 23

Our friends

We heard from our friends Brian and Mary:
"We are still in Tropic Winds but must have just missed you.  We did move from 262  a week or so ago.   262 was a north facing door which gave us some shade but we wanted more sun soooo we moved to a south facing door lot a week ago.  Guess the gate folks didn't get the word. "


Brian and Mary are sun seekers so their reason for the lot change was not surprising at all. We plan to seek them out the next time we venture east in the valley.


We are in the midst of a very busy week. Butch plays pool this afternoon outside the park while I at the same time teach a beading class. Then late afternoon there are funeral services for a park resident.


Thursday is the steak fry followed by the in-park mixed pool league that both of us play in.


Friday morning is computer class. Butch plays Bridge in the afternoon.


Saturday morning is breakfast in Allen Hall if we choose to go.


Early Saturday or Sunday morning is the only reasonable time to go to Wal Mart so if we have any Wal Mart shopping that needs done that is the time we try to do it. If it is at all reasonable to avoid the place we do.


Mid-March things will slow down here as people start leaving. I am usually very ready for the slower pace. But we are having fun in the meantime...

Monday, February 21

Surprises everywhere

Yesterday Butch and I made a trip to Harlingen. We so rarely get out of the park and we thought it was time. We planned to stop at Tropic Winds to see our friends Mary and Brian Carlson but their assigned spot was empty! That was a surprise. We are curious to find out what is going on with them.
Then we stopped at Marlene and Bernards at Sunshine Park. They had prepared a homemade pan fried chicken dinner and it was out of this world. I cannot remember the last time I have enjoyed such a meal. Homemade pan-fried chicken, real mashed potatoes, chicken gravy made from the pan drippings, green beans from Marlene's garden and coleslaw. What a pleasant surprise! It was like a step back in time. Comfort food. Then we played more than a few games of cribbage and it was nip and tuck the whole way. I reluctantly would say the fellas may have won the most.
We stopped at Wal Mart in Harlingen before returning to Magnolia park and we were surprised there too!! The store was busy but they had enough check out lines open to accommodate the business. Whoa Nelly!! That nearly bowled us over. We were checked out in record time.
So I guess all around it was a day of surprises.

Sunday, February 20

SidewinderClass - Powered by Google Docs

In case you are confused- this was an experiment to see if a pdf file could be placed on the blog for others to read. I wanted a pdf that had been created by me so I didn't get into any copyright issues and this is the only one I could locate quickly. Most of my pdf's are recipes I have saved from websites. Let me know how it worked for you. I am hoping you do not have to be a gmail user or have a google account to read it. That is the next obstacle. Thanks in advance for your help

SidewinderClass - Powered by Google Docs

A test with a pdf created by me

Saturday, February 19

South Padre Trip

Finally made it to Dirty Al's for shrimp and it was super good!!

And Butch enjoyed his cheeseburger

The beach

Butch and Donn

Peg and Donn soaking up the rays

Great surf

Sand sculpting school

Shiny yellow shorts

We had a great time walking the beach. Walking on sand is a different kind of exercise and you can feel the pull in different places the next day.

Padre is great!

Walking on the beach...Great exercise for our lily white legs!

Old-time photo of the day: What did a 27-foot trailer cost in 1945? | The Des Moines Register | DesMoinesRegister.com

Old-time photo of the day: What did a 27-foot trailer cost in 1945? | The Des Moines Register | DesMoinesRegister.com