We Had a Leak

 And we knew we had a leak for quite a while now. We were prepared to have it be a costly thing to fix. We had a fellow who does many build and repair jobs here in the park look at it and fix it. It turned out to be a simple thing, some caulking around some screws. Small job, small fee and it took care of what could have been a large problem. It feels so good to get these issues solved.

The leak occurred in the utility room attached to the park model. Now we can enjoy the rain, knowing it is needed and will not be a problem for us. We have been getting some small rains now and then and it is slowly helping the drought situation. We do not mind a bit having an abundance of choices for indoor fun.

Our Yesterday

 A couple of nights ago Butch had an "incident" when he got up around 3:00 AM to go to the bathroom. He said the room was spinning around him. It was scary because we had no idea what was happening or why. So I got on the internet to try making sense of it all and found lots of info, such as dehydration, low blood sugar etc and we didn't think any of them applied really but did our best to rule them out. 

And then!!! We went to happy hour and believe it or not found all of our answers among our peers! It seems this is a common problem among the "elderly". Our neighbors across the street said this happened to them and that Dan and Linda helped them with a solution. Dan and Linda happen to be trivia players that we are well acquainted with and they sent the solution to me. There are crystals in your inner ears that can get displaced and cause this room-spinning effect. The solution is fairly simple. Who knew!! Well, Dan did and sent me the directions and I am happy to share them with you.

And yes, it did work although Butch did say the solution was a bit traumatic.

It is called the Epley Maneuver

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZgUx9G0uEs

The above video is very detailed. We found another simpler one and it worked too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtJB5Vx7Xqo&t=20s

This morning he is feeling much better and has not had any more events since following the directions on the video. A special thanks to all who were a part of the solution!! We are GRATEFUL!!

Where to start?

 I am so far behind I am at a loss as to where to begin. 

Trivia has been going well. We consistently have 5 teams and the winning team does change and I take that as a good indication of balance. Two weeks ago the questions were tough. I had used ones from the time I was writing down questions and answers when we were playing at HyVee in Jefferson. (2018) I always feel everyone is in the same boat, making it fair. I can tell by the overall scores if they were easy or difficult. They liked the questions better last night. I aim for the middle of the road.

Butch and I had a pleasant time playing pool last Sunday. For the first time, the format was playing with the person you signed up with. Usually, you would draw for a partner but now, once a month,  we will play with the one we signed up with. There were 12 teams signed up so each team had to play 11 games. Butch and I won with 10 wins out of 11. It went well. 

Our weather has reminded me of Iowa in December. Cloudy, cool and dampish. Way back in early fall, I had heard that Iowa would be a fairly warm winter and South Texas would be cool. It seems to be leaning that way here at least. Fortunately, there are so many different activities that can take place indoors that make being here pleasant regardless.

Renie, Linda and I have been doing a 2 mile walk regularly at 7:00 AM. We don't go if the temperature is below 50 degrees or if it is raining. We haven't missed too many days.

So we are firmly entrenched in our winter activities and having a good time every day...Till next time!

Here we are at Trivia last night.

Quote of the month

Attitude and gratitude walk hand in hand regardless of how the math works out!

Oh the fun we have!!

That girl knows how to have fun! You go, Kristi!

It's time for Bernie's fruitcake!

Recipe:   Bernie's Fruitcake   

Author:   Bernie Craig

2 C Flour

1 1/2 C Sugar

1 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Salt

4 eggs

3 T butter-room temp.

4 -8 oz. Jars Whole Maraschino Cherries (Drain 3 jars)

2 C Pecan halves or pieces

2 C Walnut halves or pieces

1 LB. Raisins

Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir in eggs, one at a time. Add

remaining ingredients one at a time in the order listed, mix gently.

Pour in an ungreased tube pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Increase heat to 325 degrees and bake an additional 15 minutes. Let cool in pan

then remove. Wrap in foil or plastic and store in the refrigerator. Allow 1 to 2 days for

flavors to mingle before serving.

I never liked fruitcake until I tasted Bernies. :-)

Bernie was a dear friend of ours and he is still alive through his most delicious fruitcake. I had to beg for years before he would share the recipe. When I would ask for it he would say, " For you, I will always make as much as you want ." And in his special way, he is.

A Step Ahead

 I am trying to stay a step ahead and wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! We will be a small group of four sharing excellent food and playing games.

Gratitude is the glue that holds it all together!

Last Weekend

 One evening the sky was beautiful, the lighting was right and I captured these two photos!

Last Friday

 We went to a play in Harlingen. The theater was wonderful, and the actors did an excellent job, I just was not that fond of the play. They have better ones coming up this season.

Dear Blogger

 I have to apologize to you, blogger, my friend of 20 plus years, I am finding it difficult to devote the time it takes me to be creative with the written word. I lie in bed early in the morning or late in the evening and run through all the things I could share with the readers among you still paying attention and then I find myself with a few minutes to write and go blank.

Yesterday I went for a walk with my two walking buddies. Renie, Linda, and I meet each morning at 7:00 am and walk for an hour. It is a great way to kickstart the day. At 7:08 we heard a giant rumble in the sky and wondered if it was a low-lying jet, being not too far from the airport in McAllen. Later we discovered that it was SpaceX launch. Several Trophy residents went to see it close up. You can see it here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-ZwElJpTTs We live 60 miles or more from the launch site and yet heard it loud and clear! 

After our walk, Butch and I went to Country Omelet in McAllen, on 10th Street for breakfast. We had heard only good things about it and found them true! We plan to go again soon. We followed that with a Costco visit, needing a few items. Then we went to Lowes, needing a few items. Finally, we managed to get back home. At one, we both went to the pool hall and played for a couple of hours. Happy hour next door at 4:00, followed by supper. I must have exhausted myself because I had trouble staying awake all evening. I finally gave up at nine and went to bed, sleeping soundly till morning. 

I forgot to mention I added a few loads of laundry in there and I truly love my new washer.  My clothes are cleaner and more water is extracted with the super duper spin cycles. My dryer time has been cut in half.

About a week ago I followed the advice of my former hairdresser in finding a new hairdresser. Bertha's is the name of the salon and it is directly behind Krautches Ace hardware store in Alamo on 7th street. They do not make appointments. I walked in and asked for a haircut from Sally. I was escorted to Sally's chair and Sally appeared and started in. She did exactly as I asked and as easy as that I have a new hairdresser. 

Till next time!

Old Age Slowdown

 It quit raining earlier this week and I went on my merry way and forgot to fill you in. Sorry! It was a nice rain. A little over 2 inches spread out over 5 days and now we are back to sunshine and moderate temperatures. Yes, it is kinda like heaven here.

We bought a new washer and it was delivered today. The washer I had was cutting up bedding. So after buying new sheets, I was afraid to wash them. It was also deep and tough for me to get the clothes on the bottom. Thus the new washer. So now I have a frontload and that is what I am used to. After thinking back, I can safely say I had a frontload for twenty years or more.

Some of the women who play pool have decided to take the game a bit more seriously and play BCA rules. BCA rules are the national standard for pool players. If you are ever in a tournament outside the park you would be expected to play by BCA rules, not that I ever will! I am learning them because I want to play the national standard and have a firm grasp of what is expected. So far, so good!

I have made a bracelet or two, however I have had a hard time having enough free time to be bored. 

Our dermatology appointment was yesterday. We both had some spots attended to and some taken for biopsy. It was the usual routine. Results will be in a couple of weeks.

In a few minutes both of us will be headed to the pool hall. I will be playing with the aforementioned women.

RAIN!!!!

 Do you know how long it has been that we have enjoyed a 4-day rain? A very long time. The weather people told us it was coming, saying the finished total could be as much as 5 inches. It started in earnest yesterday. The pitter-patter of raindrops on our awnings reminds you to grab your raincoat if going out. It is very much needed. Not sure if it will be enough to drop the water restrictions. Oh, did I forget to tell you about the water restrictions for Hidalgo County Texas? Washing houses and driveways is prohibited. There are 3 pages of rules about water due to drought conditions. We are on day two of rain and rain is predicted for the next three days! We need it.

Coming to a Conclusion!

 I have come to the conclusion I get triple the exercise in South Texas as I do in Iowa. Now I am well aware that it doesn't need to be that way but it comes in a way in Texas that you do not realize it until you crash!

Yesterday we went to Mexico, needing a few items such as Gingivitis mouthwash, Volfenac and a zpac. No, neither of us are sick.  We try to keep one on hand. When we go to Hectors it becomes a two-mile walk. Before going, Renie and I had done our walk. And if you work in playing some pool you can see how you could rack up miles.

The main question we get from telling anyone we went to Mexico is "How is it in Mexico, specifically Nuevo Progreso Mexico?" It is fine! They have spruced things up so it looks much cleaner and they have pushed venders down the street a way so it isn't nearly as crowded getting started down the street as it used to be. Butch got his teeth cleaned ($40). As a general rule, everything costs more than it used to and that is because of the Peso/Dollar relationship. For instance, we had lunch at Jessica's and it was $5 in the past and $7 now. That shouldn't be much of a surprise to anyone. It was still delicious!

We came home and took a nap!

Turkey for Two

Every November I post the Turkey for Two recipe because sometimes you may find it handy for different or unforeseen reasons. The past few years I have been unable to find my preferred Butterball turkey roast with white AND darkmeat in the RGV. Yesterday I checked it out in HEB off of Veterans and was very surprised to find it! I bought two.

Read the label carefully and you will see the very important to me (White and Dark meat) Enjoy!!

Turkey for Two
Did you have a meal with friends and family on the holiday and miss all the turkey and dressing leftovers at your house? Or there are just the two of you and you do not want to cook a big ol' turkey for two people. I discovered an easy way to have it all. 

Grease the sides of your crockpot or use one of those nifty slow cooker liners ( I swear by the liners). Place a small package of dry stuffing mix in the bottom. Sprinkle with a 1/2 cup of water or chicken broth. Slice onion and dice a celery stalk and layer on top of stuffing. Place a thawed Butterball 3 pound turkey roast (found in your grocer's freezer) on top of celery and onion. Cook on low all day or high for 4-5 hours and you have the best of both worlds. A scrumptious turkey dinner for two with some for leftovers if you are moderate eaters.

Yikes!

I washed bedding yesterday and to my surprise I could have just thrown them away and been better off!

See pics.

 We had some of this last season too but not nearly this bad. It is a Whirlpool upright washer and after consulting Mr. Google we find that it is not uncommon.

They suggest not to put sheets or other bulky items in a circle around the agitator and I admit that is what I did. I purchased new sheets before we came south. How much would you trust washing them in this machine?  I had one pair of Butch's shorts with a slit in them last season but mostly, the clothes seem to come through okay. Disconcerting to say the least! Looks like a new washer is on the agenda.😒 It will not be a Whirlpool!

Cabbage Roll Casserole

It's what's for supper. Maybe not tonight, but soon!

Cabbage Roll Casserole

Brown the beef and drain the grease.

Add the cabbage, sauce, onion, rice, and salt. Pour broth over the top.

Bake for one hour, stir, and continue baking until the cabbage is tender.

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef

3 ½ pounds chopped cabbage

1 (29 ounce) can tomato sauce

1 cup chopped onion

1 cup uncooked white rice

1 teaspoon salt

2 (14 ounce) cans beef broth

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and

gather all ingredients.

Chopped cabbage, tomato sauce, onion, rice,

salt and cooked ground beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly,

5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease.

Combine cabbage, tomato sauce, onion, rice,

and salt in a large mixing bowl.

Stir in cooked ground beef. Pour mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish,

then pour beef broth over top.

Cover and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.

Stir, re-cover, and bake until cabbage is tender and rice is done,

20 to 30 minutes more.

Up to Date

 We have been here a week and two days and getting more settled in. Today the bug guy comes to protect us from invasions. When you live in a warm weather area it is a constant. Many of our peers also get it professionally done soon after arrival and again before we leave.

We consistently go to happy hour at four. It is informative, funny, interesting and more. Our neighbors, Bill and Sandi host it perfectly.

Our first time playing mixed doubles pool took place yesterday. I was happy with my play even though we didn't score well. You are not partnered with the person you signed up with, so Butch and I are never partners. Today is ladies' play at 1:00 but the cold front has reached far South Texas (55 degrees) so I may pass on it today. I say that now...

Our RV bed is made! We have slept on it the past two nights and it feels like home! We have successfully duplicated the one in Jefferson.

Getting settled into our Winter home is always a bit of an adjustment, especially when you know before arrival that a project awaits, such as the RV style bed. So with that done we can look to other things we enjoy like Pool, Swedish Weaving, Beading, and Diamond art. I brought it all with me. The choice is mine!

Just Walkin'

 A little late for my walk today and it is a bit steamy out there. It isn't too bad if you can find the shade and there is a light breeze so I increased the length by a couple of streets. 

Todays pic...

Yesterday, We went shopping again, the BIG HEB, Costco. Restocking isn't easy to do in one visit. I had purchased a cabbage on our first visit and last night I made a batch of coleslaw with it. It is always a shocker at the difference in the produce. It was so crisp and cut up so easily!

We have most of the materials needed to make our RV-style bed. The last item ordered, a piano hinge, will arrive tomorrow. We are both anxious to dive into this project. I will take pictures in process if I do not have to "hold a board".

My project for today is to get my crafting supplies divided with some staying here and some returning to Iowa. I have enough of everything so it should be easy. That was said with tongue in cheek.

So we are happily carrying on with our South Texas life!

Morning Walk

 It has been a few weeks now since I have been for a walk. My poor old decrepit body was telling me it was way past time. At 7:15 this morning I started out alone to get some exercise. Those who I passed asked me where Renie was. She is due to arrive next week. Not sure she will be ready to jump into it right away but I have decided I need to make it a priority.  

I took some photos along the way.

We have our place spiffed up on the outside.

This is someone's 'down south' means of transportation. I am sure they turn heads wherever they go!

Southern Sunrise

And now for a commercial. So you are planning a trip to South Texas and you have an RV. And you decide to stay in Trophy Gardens because the Brookers speak so highly of it. The lot behind us is usually available throughout the season so when you call to make a reservation the number is 657.

 This is the rear view of our South Texas home in Trophy Gardens RV Park

South Texas Home

 We arrived yesterday in our South Texas home. We took a new route, avoiding San Antonio, and I it will be our new way to go.

As many of you know we take HWY 281 south as soon as we come to it in the Weatherford/Stephenville Texas area and we stop to see our friends at Canyon Lake after leaving there we go south to Hwy 46 east to the 337 loop around Seguin picking up HWY123 to Karnes City (HWY 182) to Kenedy (HWY 72) getting to HWY 281 at Three Rivers, HWY 281 to the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. I know that sounds a bit gobbled but if you are looking at Google Maps while reading it I think it would make sense. I am writing it down as much for me as for you! It will be the way we go in the future. It probably would not have my full approval for the motorhome, but in the car, it is more than fine.

Today we put down our awnings, washed the car, made a trip to Costco, ate lunch at Raising Cane went home and enjoyed a nice nap!