We’re in the COLD

OK, a week ago we were complaining because it was pushing 100 degrees, today everyone here is excited as it’s in the 40’s. And that’s going to be the highest temperature for the next week. Excuse me but what’s wrong with this picture? Everyone said it we would get use to the “cooler” weather quick. And have you ever tried to find a winter coat in April, not happening around here. Thanks to my sweet sister Nadene who brought me two coats so I wouldn’t freeze.

So we arrive back in Michigan on Wednesday afternoon. Long trip but know problems and weather was good, well at least it was sunny each day.

Poor Pepper was introduced to snow for the first time and she really was not thrilled with it. This was taken in Effingham ILL. We were a little surprised that there wasn’t that much snow around as we drove along the area that really got hit last weekend.

Have been busy most days getting settled back in, seeing family and today we had Easter Dinner with Brandi and family for the first time in 7 years. This was nice seeing the grandkids (& of course Brandi and Darrell) again. Darrius has spring break this week so Tuesday I promised him he could come stay a few days with us.

Yesterday Nadene, Diane and I went to this little shop about 30 miles from here.  I got so many ideas and don’t you love being able to take pictures with your phone so you don’t forget all those ideas. Some of these things I’ll be able to find at garage sales or flea markets and just do a little paint job.

That’s about it for this week. Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter whether you are with family or friends.

Till next time………………………..

Heading to Michigan

Yup you read that right. We are all packed and ready to leave on Monday morning to go back to Michigan. I know this is really early for us but we’re both ready to leave and get home. I guess it makes a difference when you have a sticks and bricks waiting for you. Especially when the highs are still in the 30s & 40s and todays high here was 102*. But looking at the weather forecast for the next week it’s suppose to start warming up.

So the last week was busy just getting things ready to leave and trying to decide what to take. Which I guess wasn’t all that hard, jeans & sweat shirts.

Poor Pepper has been clinging to Larry like super glue. She knows something’s up and doesn’t like it. It’s kind of funny seeing Pepper sitting on Larry between him and his computer.

We’ll need to walk around tomorrow and see friends. Luckily it’s suppose to cool down to 80. Our dear friends Donna and Grant are fixing us dinner tomorrow night.

With that I’m going to close. Next week I’ll be posting from Michigan.  Till next time……………………

Spring in Texas–Early departure

Monday we made a trip to Mexico to pick up a few things. We found a new place to eat which was pretty good. Cloth napkins and table linen, waiters in tux’s and really good margarita’s.

Tuesday was the community meeting which always lasts longer than necessary but luckily it’s only once a week. Afterwards the activities committee sold tickets for the upcoming events.

I want to share a picture of one of our plants. Isn’t it pretty

Wednesday was the ladies luncheon and with the weather being in the low 80’s and a nice breeze the lunch was held out on the patio. After lunch we all moved into the dining room where they lowered the huge theater screen for a slide show of tourist pictures. Our hostess Sue M. put together 50 pictures of areas they have traveled and we had to guess where they were at. It was a great idea and saw some awesome pictures.

Thursday and Friday we worked on a few things around the house. You see we have decided to head back to Michigan early this year. I have sent a email to my family asking them all to start doing a Warm Weather Dance so when we leave here the 1st of April we don’t freeze. There’s things we want to start working on and I really do like to see spring in Michigan.  But I think I need not just the family to do a warm weather dance, but all my friends. You see today’s temperature at home is 30 degrees and the high here is 97

Today is the St Patrick’s Dinner with all the trimmings. So now we need to head up to the clubhouse to help get things ready.

Till next time…………………..

New BP Employee– Fun Event

The week was full of “things”, what those “things” were I can’t really say or should I say, can’t remember. I just know that the day’s flew by and it’s already time for another blog.

Monday we were treated to a pulled pork dinner that Al & Betty fixed. It was soooo good and I had to get the recipe so I can fix it for the family this summer. Al & Betty fix this for a group of friends every year and we all look forward to this.

One evening Kathy D. and I were up at the clubhouse to sell Event Tickets. With the number of residents growing having people pay at the door at these events was getting pretty stressful for the ones coordinating it. Not only did they have to find someone to take the money but also mark the names off on the signup sheet. Which was another problem as people would sign up than not show up. Having tickets sold gives them the exact count and if someone doesn’t show up they are out the money and not the event, which will hopefully help with the overage of food prepared.

Oh, I need to share the newest Border Patrol Employee who is stationed down at the River where we were a few weeks ago. As far as I know he hasn’t given out his name, maybe because he’s working under cover.

 

Another meeting with the Activities Team on Thursday but I think we are getting things pretty well set for next year. So we’ll hold off for awhile on having another one. Most things can be taken care of through emails.

Now tell me family, couldn’t you see yourself spending a winter  evening in a place like this.

Thursday we were asked to collect money (along with Bert/Shari) at an event (our last one of collecting cash). The event was called “  The Not So Newly Wed Game”. It was a great night with lots of laughs and like I put in the newsletter some secrets shared with 90 of their closest friends.

Speaking of the newsletter, so far Kathy and I have been getting such great feedback from our neighbors and we are really enjoying doing this. Luckily we’re getting help from others so we don’t have to do all the articles. Kathy has had the challenge of trying to fit everything we have on two pages and make it look good. Sometimes I wonder how she’s going to do it but always come thru.

Guess that’s it for this week. The upcoming one is going to be a busy one so stop back next week.  Till next time………..

Gathering at the River,

Last Sunday there was a gathering down at the Palapa on the River for the benefit of Cinderella Pet Rescue. This is the second year that both our community and the RV Park next door join together to help support Cinderella. Many of the pets that are in both parks have come from this place and the residents do weekly volunteering there to help care for the animals.

The parks were very generous this year and they collect $1500.00. The residents here in Retama who organized this did a great job. 

The 1st addition of the Retama Connections has had some great reviews from our residents. Kathy and I are having fun with this but sometimes it’s hard to keep it to 2 pages. If I could figure out how to put a link to it on my blog I would, maybe my computer guru Kathy can help me.

The Activities Team has been busy trying to get the calendar set up for next year and finding some new events to do. One of the things we worked on is having a three day Ladies Retreat next Dec at the San Antonio River Walk. We’ll see if we can pull this together.

Larry and I went down to the gun range yesterday. I sure wasn’t doing as good as the first time. Kept trying to use the sights on the gun like Larry said I should but all I was hitting was the dirt hill behind the target. So I finally quit concentrating on lining up the sights and guess what I started hitting the target. In fact one shot was darn near a bulls eye.  

The other day there was a picture on FB that our friend Dick G. posted of a piece of furniture this place in TN had at their antique shop.

Antique Shop

Ours

Look familiar? The only difference is ours has the secret drawers and the other one doesn’t.  I wanted to see if they had a price but there were over 3000 posts under it and really didn’t care that much to go thru all those. Was pretty sure they had more than $100 dollars on it that I paid, not counting the $20 I found in one of the secret drawers.

Guess that’s it for this week. Till next time…………….