Rollin' On The River

It's been quite a busy week.  At Monday afternoon's popcorn and soda there was special entertainment.  One of the German ladies played her electric keyboard while everyone sang along.  A few people even got up and danced.  This was a first for us, but quite entertaining.  This same German woman met me in the laundromat on Thursday morning.  For some reason, she thinks I speak German, and keeps trying to converse with me.  I just nod my head and smile.  They all left today so no more entertainment.

Mark golfed with the guys on Tuesday and then again on Thursday.  While he was golfing on Tuesday, I was at the ladies lunch at Jason's Deli.  As always, it was delicious.  On Thursday I ran errands, got a haircut, and just did my own thing for a couple of hours.

Wednesday we worked but got off early (5:00pm) so we could attend the second annual Welcome Back Winter Texans event.  We didn't really know what to expect since we missed last year's event, but we were very pleasantly surprised.  The Victoria Visitors & Convention Bureau hosted this event and invited all Winter Texans from the four RV parks in Victoria to this two hour event which included dinner and dancing.  The BBQ brisket, sausage, potato salad, and green beans were delicious.  Mark and Monty especially enjoyed the cash bar.  The band was a group of guys who play at all the opry houses in the surrounding cities.  They were very good and lots of people danced.  We danced about four times, but decided we need Texas Two-step dance lessons.  There were lots of people out there (many were quite OLD) having lots of fun.  I don't think my feet can move that fast. 

Mark giving Audrey some of his soda.  Audrey turned 1 yesterday, but no longer lives in the park.  Her mom comes in to get mail and to visit a couple of times a week.

This morning we dropped off Butch for his haircut appointment.  While we were killing time (breakfast at I-Hop, shopping at Target), Erik called to see if we wanted to go kayaking today on the Guadalupe River.  Of course we did!  It was sunny and 74 today and was going to be the last of the good weather for about a week.  We met at the river at noon and then Mark and Erik shuffled trucks around so that we had a truck at the take-out spot. 

Our put-in spot in Riverside Park.

Mark and Erik. 

Erik doesn't use a paddle - he uses his feet like on a bicycle. 

I was hoping to see some wildlife, but all we found was two turtles, an egret, and a duck.  No gators today.  We look forward to going back in a month or so when the trees start leafing out and more wildlife is out.  The 4.2 mile trip took us about 2.5 hours.  Even though we were going downstream, the wind kept us paddling for most of the trip. 

Bingo tonight - I won one game, and had to split another three ways.  Woohoo!

Mark stayed home and practiced playing the banjo. WooHoo!

Ice Cream and I-Phones

Once again, our RV park is jammed full.  Not only is every spot taken, we also have three people in the overflow area outside the gate.  Good business for the owners; bad for people passing through looking for a place to rest for the night.

Friday was the same when we worked.  We had one guy show up around 8pm.  All he has is a van, and he got the overflow spot next to the swimming pool so he could use the bathroom by the pool, and plug into 110v.  The guy liked it so much, he showed up again tonight, and asked for the same spot.  Tonight he wanted to watch the football games.  He came in the club room with some of his work, just in time for the ice cream people to show up.  This large crowd didn't bother him - he just kept eating his McDonalds food, watching the game, and working all at the same time.  He kinda reminded of how I envision Michael working when he's on the road.

Once again, Friday evening the men beat us in Canasta.  It's really getting old!  It was a very lame "game night" in the park.  The six of us were the only ones who showed up.  40 people show up for ice cream; 4 show up for games; 60 show up for free cocktails and snacks for a meet and greet. 

Since Mike and Pam swapped days with us, we were off on Saturday.  Mark skipped men's breakfast and took me out instead.  We tried to get into I-Hop with no luck.  Right next door to I-Hop is a Denny's.  One place mobbed; the other mostly empty.  We were game; I refused to wait 30 minutes to get a table.  My blueberry whole grain pancakes were fabulous as was Mark's ham and cheese omelet. 

Next stop - the AT&T store to inquire about a new phone for me.  Michael had given me a phone in September to try.  I liked everything about it, except that it kept shutting off several times a day, and every time Mark tried to call me, the phone was always off.  (This is not a good thing when we are working.)  We're always calling each other with work stuff.  Unlike our previous stop at this store, we got waited on immediately.  Apparently the residents of Victoria don't get out and about early on Saturday mornings (10am).  Of course, the frost on the ground and cars might have had something to do with that. 

An hour later, we walked out with my new I-phone. 

I am so excited - I can now play "Words" with everyone in my family and Steph in Georgia.  I was the lone holdout on the I-phone.  Ann and Angie also have I-Pads.  We played with them in the AT&T store knowing that we'll never own one.  Great for those with jobs, notsomuch with the retired people on fixed incomes.

The weather warmed up on Saturday afternoon so everyone was out and about after lunch.  We had happy hour at Monty & Marlene's until we were too cold to sit out.  Once the shadows got onto us around 5:00p, we all had to go inside.  It was nice to be outside after the past few cold rainy days. 

Today was an extremely boring day at work until right before we were trying to close the office and get set up for ice cream.  That's when 4 rigs all came in at once.  It's always fun when people come in who don't speak English or who have English as a second or third language.  Two of these rigs were German people.  

Yesterday a French Candadian couple came into the park without reservations, and wanted to stay a week.  Pam found them a spot, even though it's too short for their 45' motorhome.  They came into the office today complaining that they couldn't get their satellite to work because there was a huge tree in the way.  They wanted to move to a new spot.  When I told them there were no more spots to be had, they started speaking in French.  No doubt, they were saying some unkind words about me.  

We finally got the record crowd their ice cream tonight and got back to the trailer a little after 7:00 tonight, just in time to walk Butch in the rain.  It's supposed to rain tomorrow as well. 

Lastly - today is the 10 year anniversary of my Mom's kidney transplant!

Even though this picture was taken a few years ago, she's still as beautiful today.  A very big THANK YOU to God and cousin Cheri for her gift to Mom.  Mom's life would not have been the same without her!

It's Girl Scout Cookie Time!

It seems that everything is now breaking on the trailer.  When we shut the door to leave the park on Monday, the handle on the screen door broke off.  Since we were heading to Walmart, we took the back route to go by Frank's RV.  As luck would have it, he's closed on Mondays.  Next we went to Camper Clinic where we have spent a fair amount of money in the past two weeks on other broken parts.  He did not have any handles, but did say they would be coming in on Thursday.  Bummed out because the weather's been so nice and we couldn't leave the door open, we splurged at Buffet City.  Still yummy.  We suspect they will really keep up the good food and service since a brand new Chinese Buffet opened yesterday in town.  (Erik and Tania tried it out today and said it was delicious!)  We needed a big meal because Monday evening was the second "Meet and Greet" in the park and we knew we would just be having snacks, beer, and wine.

We did get something else though. 

Yes, Skyla, the granddaughter of one of the park residents is a Girl Scout and Monday was the first day they could sell them.  Her mom loaded up the van and came into the office so everyone in the park could buy.  I think she made quite a haul.  The good news this year - you get the cookies immediately without having to order them and then wait.  (It's now Thursday night, and I have not opened up any of them yet.  Mark did open up a box of mints.)

Tuesday we to Frank's RV to get the new handle.  All he had was three left-hand ones, but we needed a right-hand one.  He did have some brand new RVs in his lot, so we took a peak at those.  Still haven't found any that I like as much as ours, but still fun to look.

Yesterday we loaded up Butch and headed to Rockport (60 miles away) to yet another RV dealer for the handle.  Mark had called in advance and was told that they had it in stock.  Butch was happy to go for a ride so off we went.  I also took back a $50 refrigerator fan that we had bought over a year ago at this RV dealer, but it wouldn't fit in the available space.  I thought I'd give it a try to see if I could get a refund or store credit.  The lady at the counter was more than happy to give me the money back.  Woohoo!  No receipt, but the package still had the tag on it. 

The full moon last night was beautiful.  I tried to get a picture, but it didn't turn out too good.  Today has been extremely windy all day long.  We were supposed to golf today, but Pam & Mike asked us to work for them since Pam had tooth surgery yesterday.  It was a busy day, but it was also a very crappy weather day.  It rained most of the morning, and around noon the winds were 30mph.  One resident in the park had his awning blow off.  We watched the forecast yesterday, and took ours down before the cold front got here.

We just got back from the Thursday night pot luck dinner.  Quite the variety tonight.  Someone brought venison.  I thought it was really bad corned beef; Mark thought it was really bad ham.  I took Shepherd's pie.  There was none left, and I took a batch and a half.  Roger made turtles.  Yummo!  Monette sent about 10 of them home with us.  We really don't need them, but they'll get eaten.

Butch playing tennis.  He loves to run with the ball in his mouth.

Mark modeling one of his Christmas gifts.  He's going to be wearing it a lot in the next few days.

Moving Day

The sun has finally come out!  After three days of rain, the entire park is happy.   For once the weather guy had it right.

Friday morning I had to run the Wii exercise.  Linda had bought the Gold's Gym Dance routine.  What a workout!  Of course, none of us know how to do Latin dancing, but we just kept moving for 50 minutes.  We had 10 ladies crammed into our little exercise area.  At first everyone was talking and laughing; about 40 minutes later all I could hear was heavy breathing and "aren't we done yet?" comments. 

Friday night was bingo.  Mark opted to stay home and practice the banjo.  He had ordered two new books so he decided to try them out.  I paid by $3 to play bingo, and actually won a game.  My payoff was $4.50.  It'll pay for almost two loads of laundry.

Saturday the awning came out.  Unfortunately, the strap broke so we had to go up to the other end of town to Camper City to buy a new one.  The problem with going to this store - we always come out with more stuff than we went in for.  The strap was $7.00 but we spent $48. 

Saturday night was movie night.  The owners brought down the big screen TV, made popcorn, and we watched Grownups with Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, and David Spade.  I'm not a big Adam Sandler fan, but the movie was very funny.  The rain kept most people away, but the 12 of us in attendance had a great time.

We cleaned up the area around our trailer yesterday and put the hitch back into the bed of the truck.  Today we're going to move the trailer forward 3 feet, and then move it back onto pads that go underneath the tires.  Mark says it's not good to leave the tires on the concrete without moving 7 months in a row.  This should be a simple task for later this morning.

After ice cream last night, we taught Edith and JC how to play our version of canasta.  I really thought we were going to win; unfortunately, it was a crushing blow for us.  We were up after two rounds by 2000 points.  After the 3rd round, we were down by 16,000 points!!!  Nonetheless, we had a good time.

Gotta get to this morning's Wii dance and outside to enjoy the sun.

Free Bread Pudding!

Tuesday was our final day of work this week.  It was a very boring day in the park.  We had one scheduled arrival and one scheduled departure.  The scheduled arrival didn't show because he was snowed in somewhere in Arkansas.  We did get an elderly couple who arrived around noon who wanted a spot for two nights.  This man was a World War II Purple Heart vet who had to be at least 90 years old if he was a day.  Even though it's been freezing down here all week (TX standards; not back home freezing), this little man showed up in shorts.  It took him 15 minutes to get out of his motor home and into the building to register.  When he realized he didn't bring in the checkbook, he had to return to the motor home and find some cash.  I must admit - this was the longest registration I've ever had, but the man was fun to talk to.  He kept telling me, "Just wait missy, you'll be old some day too."  I hope I'm still out and about at his age!  

Yesterday was our 37th anniversary.  We couldn't decided where we wanted to celebrate but we knew we had to make a Sam's, Walmart and PetSmart run.  By the time we finished shopping we were starving, so we just went to Olive Garden around 2:00pm.  Well after stuffing ourselves, there was no way we were going to be eating dinner out.  Instead, we played Canasta with Roger and Monette and Pam and Mike.  Sad to say, the women lost by almost 14,000.  Will it ever get better?  I don't really care whether we win or lose, I just enjoy playing the game; however, one of my fellow teammates has had it, and never wants to play again.  Hopefully she'll change her mind.

This morning we got in Monty and Marlene's truck and headed down to Rockport (about an hour's drive) to see our friends Pat and Merv.  They had wintered in our park the past four years, but ventured off this season for something new.  They are in a park that is "in the making."  A gigantic clubhouse with only the exterior walls (no heat or a/c).  The laundry room has only two washers and two dryers.  The swimming pool that was supposed to be done over the summer has not even begun to be built.  After visiting awhile, we all headed over to a restaurant Marlene had heard was good - Charlotte Plummers. 

We ate upstairs on the 2nd floor so we could get a good view of the fishing boats and the bay.  The waiter recommended the stuffed flounder fillet.  It was one of the best meals I have ever eaten.

For $16.99 apiece, we got the veggies, baked potato, stuffed flounder, plus a trip to the soup (chicken enchilada) and salad bar.  I could have made a meal from just the soup, it was so good.

Mark, Monty, Marlene, Pat, and Merv just getting ready to start eating.

When the waiter came to ask if anyone wanted dessert, he kept promoting the bread pudding.  Monty told the waiter it was our anniversary, so he brought us one for free.  By far, the best bread pudding I've ever eaten.  The waiter claims that the guy who does the "Diners" show on the Food Network declared this bread pudding in the top four in the nation!  Doesn't matter - we'll be returning (hopefully Pam and Dennis will want to put on a few Patton Pounds when they get here.)

Needless to say - no dinner tonight!  The park is having a fish fry tonight from the fish that Wendel and Gordon had caught last week.  When we stopped into the clubroom around 3:15pm when we returned today, they were already starting to heat up the oil to start frying - even though the fish fry doesn't start until 6:00pm.  How good is that cold fish going to be in three hours???  Mark just got back from walking Butch, and one of the guys told him that the oil won't heat up high enough to start frying because it too cold here.  So guess what - they moved the fryer indoors!  Yep, I'm staying as far away as I can possibly be.  Mark couldn't stand it, he's up there now checking out the situation.  I'm glad we don't work tomorrow because that building is going to stink.

Hip Hip Jorge

Today began our two days of camp hosting in a row for the week and then we have the next eight days off. The day began with the monthly staff meeting. The best thing about these is the breakfast burritos and fresh fruit. The worst thing is the reminders of how we spent way too much time attending these meeting when we had real jobs. I think the big issue today was hand towels being taken from the bathrooms or maybe it was a reminder to handle the problems in the park without getting the owners involved. Who can remember these things? After getting a very late start to the day Diane went about her job of cleaning the office area and I headed out to park rv'ers, kill fire ants, fix picnic tables and cruise around in my golf cart making sure everyone is happy. (I think my job is the most difficult!)

The big item in our day was waiting to hear from our son Michael. He went to the doctor with his wife Angie today to find out the official answer to the big question....when is the BABY due? That's right, in case anyone who follows our blog doesn't know, we are expectant grandparents! Diane got the call this afternoon and Baby Patton has a strong heartbeat and is due August 22. We don't know any more than that right now but we do know that Baby Patton already has a nick name, Jorge (Hore-hay). Since Michael jokingly said that would be a good name for the birth announcement it has stuck and we're pretty certain that regardless whether they have a boy or girl we will use that handle a time or two.

The town is preparing for "the big freeze of 2011."  The weather guys have everyone in a frenzy because the temps are supposed to get down in the low 30s tonight and slightly colder tomorrow night.  Last week they had the town believing that we were going to get snow this week.  Needless to say, the grocery stores has been packed with people stockpiling milk, eggs, beans and tortillas.  We personally are good to go - no matter what the weather does.  Besides - there's always pizza delivery. 

Flying High

Thursday morning Mark and I headed over the the Colony Creek Country Club for our first golf outing of the  new year.  Monty, Norm, and Ed had wanted to go as a fivesome to Riverside, but we opted to go on our own since we weren't sure how the back would hold up.  Mark found a coupon online and off we headed to the much less frequented country club.  We're happy to report that Mark's back held up just fine with no problems, other than sore muscles that haven't been used in a couple of months. 

We arrived back in the park, in time to make a fudge cake for potluck night.  Quite a mix of food - two people brought "noodles and cabbage."  I admit - I was skeptical, but both were delicious!

Today was going to be the day that the bubble went up over the pool.  There's been much discussion among the workampers and the owners about whether we should or shouldn't put the darn thing up.  It's very heavy and cumbersome to get into place over the pool.  In addition, it's 10 years old with lots of holes and tears, and just looked horrible last year.  Erik decided that we would all gather at 1:30pm to put it up.  So I headed off to Wii exercise and Mark was out mingling.  Around 10:30 Mark came over to tell me that Erik was taking us flying at 11:00, and I had to get ready.

This small plane holds six people comfortably.  Erik flew us around Victoria and over to the Gulf for about an hour.  It was very exciting. 

Not really sure what Erik and Mark were doing. 

Our RV park from 2000'.  Our trailer is the one on the far left on the top row.

The Gulf coast at Port Lavaca.

We asked Erik to pose for one final picture with his plane before we headed back to the park.

Happy to report - we decided while flying that the bubble wasn't going up today (or at all this season). 

It's A Dog's World

Monday we had to go shopping.  All that we had left for lunch was peanut butter and jelly, but no bread.  I had enough ingredients to make pancakes for breakfast before heading out.  I had to return a few items to Sears and Target before we settled on the Buffet City for lunch.  Next stop was Academy for new tennis shoes for Mark.  He doesn't like wearing his other shoes every single day. 

Yesterday was cloudy and rain was predicted, but never arrived (until today).  Lots of people gathered to see what Gordon caught.  He goes over to the coast to fish most days.

Gordon with his brown drum.

Just how many men does it take to weigh a 25 pound fish - apparently it takes three.

A while later we took Butch for his walk.  All the dogs were out.

Butch chatting it up with Bart (the Great Dane), but keeping an eye on Toot at the same time.  Fortunately the bark collar has stopped him from barking at Bart.  Bart is the gentlest dog I know.

Rock (the chihuahua) didn't want to miss the party so Mike brought him over.  Behind Mark taking this picture was a Labrador - that's what these four dogs were all staring at.

Today the inside of the trailer got cleaned while Mark headed to Home Depot.  Now we're good for a couple of days.

We were going to try golfing today, but every time Mark said "I think we should go" it started raining.  Luckily we procrastinated, otherwise we would have drowned out there.  We're gonna try on Thursday.

A Karaoke New Year

We've just completed day three of four days in a row of work.  Now we know why we retired - so we don't have to set an alarm to get up in the morning.

It's an extremely busy time of year in the RV park world.  Everyone is leaving the cold and snow in the upper U.S., heading to warmth in south Texas, Arizona, or Florida.  For the past two days, we have crammed campers in every available spot, including the overflow parking lot outside the gate.  After all day on the road fighting the wind and snow, these weary travelers are tired and cranky, and just want to crawl into bed.  Most are nice, but I can't tell you how many calls I have taken from people looking for a spot for the night, when we just don't have one, having them take our their frustrations on me because they chose not to make a reservation. 

Last night was the big (hmmm) New Year's Eve party in our park.  Only 24 of the park's winter people signed up.  Everyone was to bring either a snack or dessert, along with their beverage of choice to bring in the new year.  Erik and Tania provided the karaoke machine and their Playstation 3 system for all to enjoy. 

Since I had no time to make anything, we opted to buy cheese balls from HEB.  They were delicious, and extremely hot.  The habenero/pineapple was my favorite.  The other one had jalapenos in it, and was shaped like a hot pepper.

Cute bottle of "400 Pound Monkey" beer that Gene was drinking all evening.

Erik (park owner on the left), Mark, and Gene singing Macho Macho Man.

Tania (park owner on the left), me, and Linda.  We sang so many, I don't remember which one this was.

I must admit - NONE of us (man or woman in the crowd) has an even half-decent voice to sing, but we sure had fun.

Tania poured everyone a glass of champagne just before midnight and we had lots of confetti and noise makers to bring in the new year properly.

Little Butch does not like New Year's celebrations.  Between the gun shots and fireworks in the neighborhood, he's been a basket case the past two days.  Last night I drugged him with children's Benydryl. 

It was rough getting up this morning.  We had about 6 hours of sleep and that alarm was not what we wanted to hear at 7:30 this morning.  We were very busy today, and all we want to do is go to bed, and that's what we're doing, even though it's not yet 8:00pm.