Nuevo Progreso Mexico visit

Yes, we went to Mexico. I was out of meds for one thing. What they want per month in the good old USA after insurance is three times yes, I said three times, what I pay in Mexico.
Another thing is one of our ladies in the park fell on the shuffleboard court and bunged herself up pretty bad. She landed on her face and one lense of her glasses was scratched so bad she could not see through it. So she called her eye doctor in Missouri to see what they could do and the answer was nothing because her prescription was too old. So she went to Walmart and was told the same thing. So we took her prescription and her glasses with us to Mexico and within one hour and $20 we had her glasses repaired. She says she can see once again!

Whenever we went to Mexico in the past we would go to Garcia's for panchos. Due to lack of business the past couple of years they closed and we were not able to find a suitable replacement until yesterday. We went to Elsa's. We had been there before but they used yellow cheese on their panchos and in my opinion that ruined them. So on a whim I asked if they could use white cheese and the answer was yes! So now it is our new go-to place in Nuevo Progreso for pancho's. So all in all it was a very productive and enjoyable trip.

Another amusing incident- I was being bugged to get my walking shoes polished. They are about shot and I am ready to replace them. I go through shoes at a good rate. I said no, my shoes have a hole and they are not worth polishing. So then he said, "You need to buy new shoes." A local woman overheard the exchange and was greatly amused by it all.

The last two times we have been to Progreso it has been extremely crowded and yesterday was the same. Things are looking up for the merchants of Progreso. The prices are really good there in part because the peso isn't worth much now.

Busy time of year for us

We are in the busiest time of year for us. It seems like all the activities and events get crammed into a few weeks. The reality of that is from Christmas to mid-March. In mid-March, everyone decides it is time to leave. Well not everyone. There are a few year-rounders. For Butch, the Senior Olympic week and the pool tournaments speed up the happenings. For me, it is taking pictures of events and getting them posted on the blog.
To add a bit of honesty, I have been doing this blog and the Magnolia one since 2002 and that is 14 years and I get a bit burned out. Also, I have slowed my pace quite a bit. Not physically because I still walk and bike but outside activities and events do not happen nearly as often and somewhere along the line I became content with it. And this winter we have not eaten out very much. I think I can still count the times on my fingers. And when you prepare meals at home it takes more forethought and planning. Oh and yes, I am still in love with my NuWave oven and induction plate. Have not used the RV stove at all, not even once. And leftovers take on a wonderful life of their own in the NuWave oven.
A few days ago I cut up a large potato to resemble french fries, treated them with olive oil and onion powder and baked them in the Nuwave oven for 10 minutes, then added a cup of Mexican-style shredded cheese over them and cooked for another 5 minutes. They were yummy! We ate half of them along with fish sticks and a salad. I had leftover fish, potatoes and one lone hamburger patty. Last night it was their turn and 10-12 minutes in the NuWave produced one of the best leftover meals we have ever tasted! Usually leftover meals are something to get out of the way. Not true anymore.
So right now I have sheets in the washer, need to pull something from the freezer for supper and get my first walk in. Today is Butch's double pool day, playing both this morning and again this afternoon.
So on with my day!!

Imagine

Imagine my surprise when I discovered our Miss Elise was short! She is back row far right. I guess I have not seen her among her peers for comparison.

And here she is second from left in the back row.

Canyon Lake friends

Our Canyon Lake friends (San Antonio area) came down to the Rio Grande Valley to spend a week on South Padre. These are people we became acquainted with through Snow Mountain Ranch.
 Due to the fact that this week is a busy one for Butch we went to visit them yesterday, our only free day. I took 3 cameras with me- my old standby Fuji, my smartphone and the new GoPro. I have not mastered the handling of videos yet so we will skip that part for now. Videos use a large amount of data and time. We enjoyed lunch at Dirty Al's, walked on the beach and visited the afternoon away. All in all, a great way to spend the day.

The Pelicans are waiting for a free lunch

 Here is the reason the Pelicans have such an interest. This young man is cleaning Red Snappers and he will throw them some scraps.

 Nice boat

 Lisa is watching the action. Butch is posted on the other side of Lisa.

  Gull is hanging out for a tidbit as well.

 My best shot of the day!

We returned to the campground and gathered for drinks and conversation.
I will try with the names but ask forgiveness beforehand when I screw up.
Here we have Terry, Roxy and Larry.

 Laura and her husband, Sharon, Mike, Lou and Gary.

 Newly met friend and her husband Carl-then Butch

 Party crasher!

And if you wonder where Santa goes after Christmas, at least this week he is parked next to Terry and Lisa  on South Padre Island!

Quite a Stir

I caused quite a stir yesterday. I knew I would. When I was sick with the stomach flu for a week all my respiratory/allergy issues disappeared. My conclusion was that I had not set foot outdoors for 6 days and perhaps that was part of the solution. Also, the first two days of resuming our daily walks agitated the allergies once again. So I decided to wear a mask. That caused the stir. "What's wrong with Barb?" The answer is probably many things but the short answer is allergies. 

Saturday

Pecan Bill and Butch went to a car show in McAllen. Kay had won the tickets worth $15 each. Being one who would never spend a dollar to go to a car show, I do not know how they made any money but the place was packed. Go figger.

Anyway, Peggy and I went to the flea market. One of our many purchases was this cauliflower. This is half of it. Peggy and I shared. Cauliflower is pricey these days with a small head going for nearly $4. Ours cost $2

We picked up several items. The flea market too was packed with people. I do believe it was busier than I have ever seen it.

It's great!

This is Portia the porch kitty who may giving birth to kittens at this very minute. This was taken last night after the steak fry. She hasn't been seen since and she is very pregnant.

Myron's dog Indy loves to pull him around the park. I hope to get a GoPro video of it.

This is  a VERY old bike. I could not resist those handle bars!

It feels really good to have regained my health. You don't know what you've got till it's gone as it says in the song.

So now...

I have played it low key, staying home, doing minimal things and trying to get full recovery. I felt good on arising this morning and since Butch has pool both morning and afternoon I decided to get caught up. So now the second load of laundry is in process, vacuuming has had a once-over, dishes are done and sanitized, check book balanced and I am getting caught up on computer stuff.

I feel like I have been in isolation, self-inflicted. One of my main concerns throughout this ordeal is that we not pass it on to our unsuspecting friends and neighbors. I would not wish what we have endured on my worst enemy.

Despite feeling good, I have noticed that it does not take much effort to feel fatigued. And food doesn't yet taste real yummy. I will be ready for a walk when the weather clears. Oh yes, I didn't tell you. The weather has been beautiful for the past week but today is cold (49 F) and wet. The forecast is for 30's tonight. Unlike the past two years, we then will enjoy a nice warm-up into the 80's.

Tomorrow is Costco Thursday and my list is ready. I am looking forward to a few hours with friends doing something entirely different!

I'm Alive!

Yes, we have survived the stomach flu. For those questions you have: Yes, we had a flu shot. Flu shots are for respiratory flu. We had gastrointestinal flu and it is a virus with no cure and no vaccine to my knowledge. I read up on it when Butch first came down with it. Excellent article and you can read it here:
http://www.healthline.com/health/cold-flu/best-remedies-stomach-flu#2

Lots of good advice and I tried to implement as much of it as possible. 

We have found out where it was contracted and just as I expected it was a pool hall, but not our pool hall. Butch played pool at a park that will not be named a week ago Monday, the 18th and found out he had the flu Tuesday night. When the Monday pool group reconvened yesterday the conversation confirmed that many people from the unnamed park had the stomach flu.

Despite all my efforts to avoid it, my visit happened Friday night. It saps the living health right out of you. So I am feeling some better but I am weak and wobbly legged. I have been able to eat some but queasiness quickly reminds me if I exceed the body recommended capacity.
Enough of all this for now. Will post again when something of note flits into my head.

Stomach Flu

Butch had it first and now I have it. Started Friday night for me when I felt like my stomach contained a boulder. It got worse from there. Yesterday was awful. Today I feel like I will be okay but I am weak. This is all you will hear from me till wellness has returned.

Drastic or Not...

I just did a drastic thing I hardly ever do. I deleted all my emails. Don't get too excited I have read most of them. Or maybe you could say scanned them. Butch says that is all I ever do-scan.
Butch and I have had quite a time of it this winter health wise. Nothing drastic there. Just the irritating things. Butch is recovering from the stomach flu. This is following a very bad cold followed by a continuing respiratory "thing" we assume is allergies that is being stubborn. I caught his cold and now I have the allergy crap, that is what we assume it is. I have never had as much problem as he has had. But now we are both on Allegra-D. He will resume the allergy stuff once he recovers from the stomach flu. So now you see my point. The allergy business has made us tempted to give up on South Texas before and we are at that point again.
However...The weather has been perfect this winter. Moderate would be a good word for it. We have had lots of sunshine. A cool day now and then but not lasting long enough to be bothersome. It has been as perfect this year as it was bad the past two winters.
So with not being in top form I have neglected both blogs probably as bad as I ever have. I may have lost some of my readers this past year. It would not surprise me.

I drove the car today! Butch having the flu prompted it. I hardly ever drive anymore but it is reassuring to know I still know how. I went to WalMart to refill a prescription and then to H.E.B. With coupons they give to seniors I saved $18.94. These coupons are unbelievable. We love our H.E.B.

I still  have several as you can see. Today I picked up two dozen eggs, 1/2 gal. milk and bananas for free among other things.

Took this photo today.

People see me taking pictures and they often do not see what I see. I have become used to that reaction

Below is a hornets nest that people drive by every day and do not even know it is there. It is in the top of a tree not far from the office. We all pass by it frequently. Don Louks pointed it out to Butch who pointed it out to me.

 This leaf was on our motorhome windshield. We have a screen on it that transforms the leaf to a pixelated wonder.

 This was a sunset taken from our front door one evening last week.

How and why do they caucus in Iowa

This website is interesting and informative.

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jan/19/iowa-caucuses-explained-2016-election-democrats-republicans

My life these days

My life these days revolves around pretty ordinary stuff...like cooking. This is the reason I am posting this recipe today because I loved it and it was quick and easy. If you added some cooked chicken bits to it, it would pass for Chicken Alfredo (low cal). It is one I will make again even if I am the only one enjoying it.
One Pot Pasta

Ingredients:

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk
• 2 Tbsps. unsalted butter
• 8 oz. uncooked fettucine
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley to garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. In a shallow saucepan, sautée minced garlic until lightly brown.
2. Add chicken broth, milk, and butter to the pan. Stir until butter melts and ingredients mix.
3. Add uncooked pasta to pot, and add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Ladle liquid over pasta until covered.
5. Simmer mixture until pasta is cooked and liquid evaporates into a creamy sauce.
6. Mix in Parmesan cheese.
7. Plate and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy!

This simple meal tastes decadent without being too heavy, and is the perfect speedy meal for the middle of the week! Plus, you’ll cut your cleanup in half by sticking to just one pot.

Busier than usual day

Computer class this morning where we worked on cut, copy, and paste.

And then Butch and I went to Walmart to discuss drug prices. I was very lucky in that there were no lines so I had the full attention of a druggist. I like the store-on Salinas in Donna- and I like the pharmacy personnel. They are patient and helpful. I asked this fellow many questions about prices of various meds and then I said, "Thank you very much and now I am going to Mexico to buy them." I said this with a smile and then, "I suppose you hear this all the time." He said, "Yes, but when I buy my own I go to Mexico too." Also said with a smile. Nice guy.

So then we go to Mexico. LOTS OF PEOPLE! I have not seen it that crowded for two years. Both parking lots were full. There were also many Federales. Camo guys with lots of guns patrolling the streets of Nuevo Progresso. We ran into Jim and Janet Rader and joined them for lunch at Arturos. The Pancho's were good. Not as good as Garcia's but better than Elsa's. We are sure missing Garcia's for Panchos. My own version is getting better as I practice.
Got home about 3:00. We feel like that is a busy day for us.

Old Lady

There is an old lady in our park who is 98 or 99 years of age. I really did not expect to see her this year. She used to drive herself down but after several scrapes on the side of her car, someone in her northern life decided she should no longer drive herself to Texas from Minnesota. So the past few years her grandson has driven her down, stuck around for about a week and left her here. She no longer has a drivers license. In fact, she cannot see very well having one very bad cataract and another almost as bad. In the past, she has had kind-hearted people in the park to take care of her. That is not easy to do as she has a habit of being demanding, unfair and disagreeable. This year she does not happen to have 'good help'. So she hired a local handyman to fix her car, put a new battery in it so she can drive to the mailbox and the garbage. Yesterday was her first excursion and she made it without getting or giving any injuries to any thing or any body. It was the talk of the park and many people were watching her every move and trying to stay out of her path. There have been complaints filed with management and I am anxious to see if anything gets done and if so what.
Update: I only have observation to tell me the results. Her car has been moved and where it is parked would have taken skills she does not possess. She is sporting a new hairdo and was seen as a passenger in a car. So my guess is she has been grounded by management but has found someone to take her where she wants to go...for a fee...for now. Only one of many soap operas in a park for the retired.

It is okay

I have reached an age where I have fallen into a rut. The odd thing is I am okay with it. If you had told my 35-year-old self that I would ever be okay with being in a rut well let us just say I wouldn't have agreed with you.
Many words I said in my youth have had to be eaten. One was that I would always keep up with the latest music trends. That one fell by the wayside so long ago I cannot even remember it. I do remember having said it.
 I remember trying to teach my mother some of the dances of the 60's and she was stiff as a board. Another thing I did not plan to let happen to me. Well, some days I am stiff as a board. In fact, most days I am stiff as a board.
I am happy sitting here in my quiet house entrenched in my rut stiff as a board.

Today is Costco Thursday. Peggy will be picking me and two others up in a bit to go to Costco. I do not really need anything today.  I will have more time to just browse and nibble all the samples and have some time outside my rut.

Dear Readers

You have indeed been preying on my mind.
Butch came home from the pool hall a week from last Tuesday and said, " I hate to tell you this but I have a cold." He knew this news would not make me happy. I told him he needed to neti. He would not. Insisting it does not do any good. He was wrong then and he is still wrong. Combine a cold with allergies and it takes having a cold to a whole other level. So Butch suffered mightily for a few days...I would say 5 or 6 days. On Sunday, we took him to what I thought was a 24-hour clinic but was indeed an ER. Won't make that mistake again. After the clinic/ER debacle, we hit upon the fact that he was taking an allergy pill but not the Allegra-D he should have been taking so we stopped at Walgreens and got him on track with that and his condition has improved but not 100% yet. So then the next Tuesday rolls around and I notice the ugly symptoms of a cold. I neti right away and start the Zicam and I keep it up. Here we are at Friday and I too am not yet at 100% but I can tell I am on the way to recovered good health or as good as it can get. So what does this all mean? I have not felt well enough to do much of anything the past two days including a blog entry is what it means but now I will try catching up.
And my advice if you know you are coming down with a cold is at the very first inkling or tiny tickle in the throat use a neti pot and Zicam. A 3 day cold is much easier to bear than a 7 day cold.

Liz the Great by Janet Rader

Janet enjoys working with rocks and today she presented me with a special gift she created. Excellent work, Janet. I will enjoy it very much. Meet Liz the Great.

Leo and Keri's- Westergaard Grands

Beck and Brady

A winters day.

I woke this morning at 6:45 AM and the temp was 44 degrees outside and 61 degrees inside and it was raining with a north wind. I hiked the thermostat up 5 clicks. You see, I cannot see the thermostat as it is too high to see the button that says "up". I know where it is and I know it is set on 65. It takes one click to wake it up and then one click for each degree. I then put on a sweatshirt to keep the cold at bay. At this time I made the decision to not go anywhere today. No walks, no shopping nothing, nada all day long. I have stuck by my conviction and it has been easy.

We had chili for lunch and panchos for supper and watched two movies. One was Silver Linings Playbook and Tracks on Netflix.
Butch is now at the pool hall.
I looked at the temps a few minutes ago and it is still 44 degrees outside and now 69 degrees inside.

And now you know how my day is shaking out.