Week 21 in Texas

The problem with a small RV park, and knowing everyone because we just like talking to people - when you are gone for a couple of hours a few days in a row, people become concerned and start making up rumors about you.  Last Thursday and Friday we made a couple of road trips and when we got back, the residents in the park had us "out buying a new rv" or "finding a new park to work at" or "sick and finding a doctor" or "you must be mad at everyone and just had to get away."  Ok, the last one was the closest to the truth, but we would never admit that.  This week was much better because the people driving us crazy were out of the park visiting friends in a different state.

Monday we had to work and it's always a busy workday.  Floors need to be vacuumed and scrubbed, along with the daily cleaning of the bathrooms and laundry room.  Fortunately, the was not a sunny day so I didn't miss the outdoors so much.  Now that the weather is in the 80s, it's tough being inside for any reason.  Mark spent the day with Erik fixing a water leak in the back of the park and then spraying poison on fire ant mounds. He has become the resident ant killer and everyone lets him know when they have fire ants around their RV's.

We were supposed to golf with Norm and Ed on Tuesday, but Ed and his wife had to drive back home to northern Illinois due to a family illness.  We were sad to see them go - they were both great people, and Ed was always ready to golf.  That left Norm, Mark and me to golf.  Unfortunately it was very windy, and not sunny so I decided to go to the women's lunch instead and he and Norm could golf.  The girls ended up at Olive Garden and then the mall.  Since I was not driving, I had to go along to shop even though I'm not a shopper.  I did find lots to buy though.  The Hallmark store in the mall is closing, so everything was 65% off.  I got lots of great cards - hopefully I'll remember where they are when I need them.  Also, for some reason I thought I had too many "summer" clothes, so when we went home for Christmas, I took a bunch of sleeveless shirts back and left them.  Not a good thing, since I now need them.  Good thing JCPenney was having a big sale.

Wednesday we spent at least four hours in the pool.  Butch relaxed outside while we were cooling off.  He just loves the outdoors and never wants to go in, especially if he's the only one home.  It's more fun to watch people walk by then sit inside.

We made a trip to HEB to get ingredients for a cake I was taking to Thursday's fish fry.  We found these on the shelf.  I know Texas does things big, but these were ridiculous.

These marshmallows were at least 2" x 2". 

The local cable tv provider changed some of their stations, so we all had to get our TVs to scan for new channels.  We tried to watch the golf on Wednesday and discovered that we no longer had the Golf Channel.  Our little TV in the bedroom found all the stations immediately; the big TV crashed and burned while trying to do it.  We've had nothing but trouble with this TV since we bought the trailer.  It wouldn't even turn on.  Since we had to work on Thursday, the shopping would have to wait until Friday.  Darn - we couldn't watch the Maury show to find out "you are the baby daddy!"  Just kidding - Mark occasionally turns it on for laughs.  It sucks you in though - who are these people who get on the show, and why would their air their family problems on network TV?

The fish fry last night was wonderful.  Gordon had caught a couple of large black drum and his wife needed all fish out of the freezer.  The guys started to prep the fish to start frying them around 5:00pm in time for the 6:00pm dinner.  Unfortunately, someone forgot to plug in the electric deep fryer.  Luckily they had a fair amount ready to go to get the crowd of 39 people started.  It was some of the best fish I have ever eaten.  I think it was the breading that did it - it was Zataran's brand from Sam's Club. The only problem we had was how long it took to clean everything afterwards! 

This morning we headed off to get the new TV from Walmart.  It took less then 10 minutes for Mark to get it hooked up and working.  The hardest part was finding the screws to fit into the old swing-arm mounting bracket.

 

After a quick trip to the grocery store, and lunch at Mumphords for BBQ, we again spent the afternoon at the pool.  It just doesn't get much better!

Canasta this week:  men won one; women won one.  Tie breaker tomorrow night.

Road Trip!

Monday was Valentine's Day and the workkampers served breakfast to everyone who signed up.  French toast, Belgium waffles, sausage, fruit, OJ, milk, mimosas and Chocolate Wine were served.  Since we weren't working Monday, we had minimal duties (I served drinks and even got a couple of glasses of the ChocoVine). 

Tuesday we golfed with Norm and Ed at the Colony Creek Country Club because it's only $22 on Tuesdays.  Norm is a great golfer, who shoots about ten over his age (he's in his early 70s).  This is the first time I've golf with either of these guys, but it was very enjoyable.  Ed golfs like the guys back home - always harrassing and joking.

Early Thursday morning we decided to get out of the park.  Even though we've been here since early October, except for the drive back home for Christmas, we really haven't been anywhere.  Too much park time was driving us crazy and everyone was getting on our nerves, so we threw Butch into the truck and off we went. 

Butch didn't know what to do while we were on the ferry.  He barked a whole bunch at a grackle that was sitting on the tool box in the bed of the truck.

Once we got out on the island we headed to the beach.  Butch loved running in the sand, but didn't like the water.  I think it was because there were pretty high waves. 

We got back to the park in time to take a nap before going out for the evening.  Mike and Pam had gotten tickets to the Concert Band performance by the United States Air Force Band of the West.  We got there early to get a good seat.  If you ever have a chance to go see a performance by any military band, don't miss out.  These performances are always free, and very entertaining. 

This was a clarinet duet that was beautiful.  I told Mark that that could have been me up on that stage, if only I had stuck it out a whole lot longer on my clarinet. 

Today we again left the park early with Butch and headed north to New Braunfels, which is just north of San Antonio.  Our new GPS got us there in two hours with no problems.  Unfortunately, the Camping World didn't have what we were interested in seeing and we left without buying a single thing!   Even though we had no agenda today, we put about 320 miles on the truck.  The diesel is not getting any cheaper.  We filled up this morning at $3.29 a gallon, but saw it as high as $3.54 cash only, near Beeville this afternoon. 

We see a lot of this in Texas.  People driving on the shoulder.  This guy was loaded down with eggs and drove on the shoulder for about a half mile.   

 
 

Back To Work!

This was our week off until Friday.  Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate.  No golf, just lots of TV watching, and working on puzzles in the clubhouse.  We talked about driving up to New Braunfels for the day to look at some trailers at an RV dealer, but it was raining or too cold every day.  Instead, we just hung around Victoria.

Most of the talk around the winter people lately has been about next year's reservation policy that the owners implemented.  If a winter Texan wants their same spot next year, they must make a 3-month reservation with a month's deposit (non-refundable).  This does not sit well with most of these people, so everyone is out searching for a new winter destination next year.  We are spared this nonsense (other than listening to all the bitching from everyone) because we will be wintering in snowy, icy, St. Louis with our new grandbaby.


Mark had been talking to Roger about our kayaks, so Roger ordered and finally got his on Tuesday.  Even though it was only in the 30s, we convinced him that he had to inflate it and get into the pool with it.  He ordered the "3-person" model.   He gets to carry the big cooler when we go out because his wife won't go with him.

He deemed it seaworthy, so we're anxiously awaiting good weather to take him over to Saxet Lake.

Wednesday we headed out to get the oil changed at the local Ford dealer.  A short 35 minutes after arriving, the truck was ready to go.  We were excited about the $70 charge.  At home it's always $105 at the local mechanic, and even more at the Ford dealership.  Sometimes it pays to use non-union labor.  It was supposed to be $80, but the lady had a terrible time ringing up our bill so she gave us $10 off. 

Thursday we were having a cocktail in Monty and Marlene's trailer when Mark and Monty saw a cat with a leash run down the street.  They went out to catch it and see what the tags said.

"Now what do I do with it?"

It turns out, the cat belongs in the park; the owner always ties it outside, but it must have gotten loose. 

Friday was a very long day at work.  Even though the workday ends at 7:00pm. we had to call Bingo from 7-8:00pm. It was our first time at working bingo.  The concern is always dragging it out and calling way too slow.  We got eight games, and a cover-all done in just under an hour.  After walking Butch and reading some emails, we were in bed by 9:00pm.  Butch was not happy! 

Today was beautiful and business was very slow in the park, so we spent a lot of time outside on the rocking chairs with Butch.  The problem is, the owners went out for their Valentine's celebration, and we're on call until they get back into the park around 9:30.  Mark's already asking, "Is it too early to go to bed?" even though it's only 7:00pm.  Yes, it's too early.

Since it's going to be fabulous weather this coming week (75-80 every day), all the golfing men are trying to get their groups lined up. This can be difficult some times because some of them like to play early and others will only play in the afternoon. We try to play with the guys that are playing for the fun of the game. Hopefully Mark's back won't be too sore this week and we can play a couple of times.

A Texas Winter

The meteorologists were wrong when they forecasted 3 to 4 inches of snow and we're happy they were.  Friday morning brought nothing but about a eighth inch of ice and no snow!

The ice did a number on the palm trees, but a couple days later they bounced back up.  This one's hardy, especially since Butch "waters" it at least three times every day.

I failed to get a picture earlier in the day when it was in the upper teens, but note the winter coat "Ned" has on.  28 degrees outside. We had four nights that were so cold that we had to let the water run in the kitchen sink all night to keep the hose from freezing.

Fortunately, things change quickly down here.  Just 24 hours later, we were all in the pool (with no cover on it) for an hour. 

Last night the women finally won the canasta game.  One of the guys (not Mark) is a very sore loser.  After yelling at his wife, he went home very mad, and wouldn't even talk to his wife last night.  Too funny - especially since they are around 70. 

Super Bowl Sunday - it was a super weather day.  Mark working on his snack for tonight's party.

He just loves making his braunschweiger ball.  It's always a hit too.

We spent the entire day outside. Check out "Ned" today:

The Super Bowl party drew about 20 people, with more than enough dips, crackers, and snacks to feed 150.  We ate way too much, as always.  I only wanted to see the commercials, most especially, the Clydesdales.  Unfortunately, I ran back to the trailer and missed it!

South Texas Snow

All week we've been watching The Weather Channel, and following the news from back home about the "Blizzard of 2011."  We're glad that all the snow went north and missed the immediate St. Louis area.  We were even in touch with our neighbor to report on fallen tree limbs and downed power lines.  Now that we can quit worrying about that, we now must listen to all the news in Victoria about the weather.  We are freezing (by south TX standards).  It never got above freezing today, and it's still blowing 20-30mph.  Last night we had to let the kitchen faucet drip so the hose wouldn't freeze.  Mark has his winter coat with us, but I didn't bring mine.  Fortunately we won a very nice lined leather coat last year at the Cedar Creek rally, so I dug it out from under the bed today.  It was a life saver.

Monday was a very long work day.  Since the weather was rainy, cold, and very windy, everyone traveling wanted off the road.  We had every spot, and four overflow spots filled.  Then at 7:00pm, we had a musical group come in and play for a couple of hours.  The Jacob Austin Band consists of mom, dad, and their 21-year old son (Jacob).  Jacob plays the mandolin and sings very well.  We were prepared to be very disappointed, but were pleasantly surprised.

Jacobs writes alot of the songs they sing.  My favorite, "My Hair Had a Party Last Night."  It's about how your hair is all messed up when you wake up in the morning.  He looks like he's 14, but he's really 21. 

Last night we tried out the new Chinese buffet that just opened.  It was not good.  Erik and Tania raved about it, so we decided to give it a try.  We won't be returning. 

There were lots of power outages in Texas today, and the media is asking everyone to turn off as much electric as possible.  While playing cards tonight, we questioned this because it's hotter than hades here in the summer and they don't have power outages then. 

The schools have already cancelled school for tomorrow afternoon and Friday because we are expecting 1-3" of SNOW!  Oh my gosh.  This is insane.  I'll be posting pictures over the weekend. 

We're working tomorrow, then a soup and salad potluck.  I'll be making apple crisp for dessert.  Too many soups, not enough sweets.

Tonight we played Canasta with our friends and as you might guess, the men won again.