Colin all hooked up and waiting while I go and pay the bill.


This will probably be my last entry for a while as We are leaving in the morning and will not have reliable internet for about a week.

The last few days have been spent getting things ready, packing things up and getting the last minutes stuff like food for the way home.

We had our last happy hour this evening but there was only 6 of us. Pretty much everyone else is already on their way home. It's kind of sad to say goodbye to our friends down here but it is also exciting to be going home to friends and family there.

We haven't actually officially announced it yet but our daughter Shelly and her husband Luke are expecting their first child in October 2008. Colin and I will be Grandparents.....How about That!
We are really excited about it.

To all our traveling friends, hope you all have a safe trip home. Hopefully we will see you all next winter. Take care and keep in touch.

As much as I hate to think that the winter is already over.....it's time to pack up, clean up and get ready to head for home. I have lost track of the last couple of days but there really was not alot to tell. Tuesday was couples Golf and Wednesday we went in to Mexico. Carol had a dentist appointment so Colin and I tagged along. I had a wonderful Pedicure......10.00 including tip and I walked out of there like I was floating on a cloud. Thursday was our day to wash the roof of the trailer and apply UV Protectant. I rinsed off the rest of the trailer and cleaned the windows.

Friday was our last Golf Scramble so I was up at 6:30 in time to walk the dogs and then down the street to catch my ride. I felt like I played pretty good today. I got a few pointers today to adjust my grip and how to line up the ball for where I want it to go. Some things to practice over the summer.

In the afternoon we went to Mexico for our last visit to Poncho's Bar. there were about 10 of us and naturally the Margaritas flowed freely. When we left there Bob and Carol and Colin and I decided to go to CiCi's Pizza for dinner. They make the most awesome cinnamon rolls and everyone really got a good fill of them. I think it will be an early night tonight considering my early start to the day.

Roses for Denise and Carol, who did such a great job organizing the whole thing!


High Score Awards.....Team name: Out of Control!

Buddy decided that no one was chipping balls cause he was taking them home


A good massage was required before chipping the ball into the can.
The Juarez St. Trailer Trash Golf Tournament and BBQ.


What started out to be a friendly neighborhood get together with golf and a hamburger BBQ afterwards ended up being a Golf Tournament with 36 people and a huge cookout afterwards. The teams has such wonderful names like the "Mafia Connection", "Golf Busters" and my team was called "Out of Control" and that was a perfect name. Our "T" times started at 2:00 and the last team came in at 5:30. The last hole was the funniest. Once you got your ball on the green you had to use a pool cue in the proper way.....which meant laying on the ground.....to put the ball in the hole. Very Fun!

At the end there were prizes for closest to the pin, longest drive, low score and high score (that was us) .

We got back to the street where all the food was assembled and enjoyed some killer hamburgers with all the trimming, salads, and desserts. A very good time was had by all!

This is Bailey a "Domesticated Bengal White Snow Leopard. He has fur like a Chinchilla.


Bella and Bailey have a little meeting!


The lady on the right is the one responsible for keeping my glass filled.....she looks so innocent.


Ginger hanging out looking happy!


The most deadly ingredient!


The mixing of the lethal concoction!


Started out the day good by doing a major clean up job. Laundry, dishes, tidy up and wash floors. Colin installed new locks on the storage compartment. To day was scheduled to use up all the tequila on the street. Margaritas at 6:00. They were described as Mango Passion fruit and they sounded really good.......so me......the one who does not drink decided that I should have just one because they tasted so good. Ya......you guessed it one of the crowd decided that I should have many margaritas......and so I did, I mean after the first one they just got better and better. I have proved it beyond a doubt now that I can not drink alcohol. At some point after I got back to the trailer my head tried to separate from my shoulders.......not so good.
By this morning after some much needed migraine medication I woke up and did not feel too bad.

Okay I learned my lesson again! I should be good for another 15 years now.

Bogenvilia blooms.


Mr. Turtle sunning on a stump.


Not sure what these are but they were pretty.


Floating Ant Colony.


More blossoms.


A dragon fly convention.



The morning started out with the usual dog walk and then some cleaning up in the trailer. We decided as the weather was good, to take a drive out to Estero Llano State Park. It is a smaller park but very well layed out with walkways and viewing areas. They had just flooded an area in the park which was attracting alot of water birds. A very interesting thing we saw was a floating ant colony. They must have been flooded out of their home and were floating in this big clump on top of the water......they did not look happy!

We did not see alot of different birds but there were turtles, alligators, some pretty butterflies, lots of things in bloom and various shore birds.

We had to stop on the way home to pick up a few groceries. We were suppose to attend a happy hour at 4:00 and we were a little late getting home so I was rushing cutting up veggies for a veggie and dip plate. Of course I have just bought these really nice, sharp, new knives and discovered that they cut thumbs really well. Thank goodness I was almost done. A wad of paper towel and a bandage later we were on our way to the festivities.

We headed home and found a second happy hour just beginning across the street at Gord and Denise's place. Naturally we didn't want them sitting there by themselves so we joined in. It was starting to get dark before we headed back to our trailer for dinner. All in all a good day.

Look at that baby, it's huge and I ate the whole thing! Just look at the size of it compared to the pop can.

Quite an impressive collection!


Carol Connor posing with the big fancy bike.


Fancy leather work on the seat of one of the bikes.


Even though it was Winter Texan Appreciation Day there was still a Military presence.



Carol and Fonda making their way down the street.


Interesting Outfits!
Dancing Girls.......they could move in ways my body never did or ever will!


A view of the street that they had closed down for the celebration.

My day started at 6:45 AM. Get up, get dressed, walk the dogs then catch my ride to go golfing. I know, hard to believe I got up two Fridays in a row to go Golfing at 7:30! It was a perfect morning though. A little cool but no wind and bright sunshine (once it got up in the sky!) I actually had some really good shots today.

We got back to the trailer by 11:00 with just enough time to get changed and ready to go to the GIANT Hamburger place. It doesn't really have a name it's just the place with the big hamburgers. It's this little obscure place tucked into the back streets in Donna. No sign, but very, very busy. Silly us being first time patrons ordered a hamburger each and French Fries.....error! the burgers are about the size of a sandwich plate with homemade patties and all the fixings. DELICIOUS! While we were sitting there a bunch of bikers showed up on their fancy bikes so of course they had to be photographed.

Next we headed to Progresso for the Winter Texan appreciation Day. The place was a mob scene and really there wasn't anything else to see that was not there normally.....that is except for the strip club that was promoting their dancers. The men thought that was particularly interesting. Larry had to get a haircut so we decided that the best place to wait would be in Poncho's Bar. They were having a problem keeping up with the Margarita demand so they were not as good as they usually are.

On the way home we were going to have banana splits at the 2 for $2.00 place at the border but they had been so busy that they ran out of soft serve. At this point we decided we had better make a run to the Dairy Queen in Mercedes.

By the time we got back to the trailer I was very tired. We took the critters for a walk and then I laid down on the couch for a wee nap. When I woke up I finished my crocheting project and did the dishes, had a shower and answered some emails. And so comes to a close another actioned packed day with the Werner's.

The girls just hanging our on the couch.

It was cooler this morning when we woke up and I required a jacket to take the dogs for their walk. I made it as far down as Karen and Al's place, when she came out with a package of homemade "Monster Cookies" Karen says that they are good for you as they have oatmeal in them ...... but they also have m&m's, raisins, nuts,chocolate chips and coconut in them...... just a little fattening but oh so good! It would be hard to carry them around for our walk so I took them back to the trailer. By then it had warmed up enough for me to take off my jacket......dumb move because after I again got halfway down the street I had to turn back because I left my poop bags in the jacket pocket. The third try was a charm and I made it all the way around the east end.

On our walks, Splash has made a very unusual friend. She is a black kitty called Momma Cat. They touch noses and she rubs up against Splash. All I have to say to Splash is "Where is your kitty" and she knows exactly where to run to find her. She gets very upset when she is not there.

The rest of our day was spent around the trailer. Colin made a mount on the back of the trailer to put the satellite dish on when we travel. That way we don't have to put it inside. I spent my time cleaning out some cupboards and reorganizing some things getting ready to travel.

We joined Bob and Carol for Happy Hour at their trailer and then decided to go over to Linn's for Chinese.

We watched some TV and then I went to bed as tomorrow is going to be an action packed day.

This morning we woke up to 69 degrees F. I could actually take the dogs for a walk without sweating to death. It reached a high of 87 but that was much easier to deal with than the 100's + we have been having. The winds have also subsided somewhat.

It seems like everyone is busy right now doing last minute things in preparation for leaving to go back home. Several of our friends are leaving their units here in the park for the first time. This involves tying them down and making sure that everything is secure. Then some have to change insurance companies as well......It is quite a process. The cost of fuel seems to be a big determining factor on this decision.

As of yesterday we have only 2 weeks left here in Texas and then it's homeward bound, pick up the new truck and hopefully get back to Ontario as the Daffodils are coming up.......not in the snow!

Mexi and Splash could both use haircuts but I think they may need that fur when we get home, so for now they will have to settle for a bath.

As for what we did today.....not alot but Colin did get a mount made for the satellite dish on the back of the trailer . This will mean I don't have to put it inside anymore while we travel. I did some cleaning and crocheting so today was not a total loss.

Tonight some TV and a Hot Tub and then Goodnight..zzzzzzzz

For those of you not familiar with Colin's feet......they were not made to put into normal shoes. They are not that big only a size 10 but very, very, very wide! And then of course there is the particularly picky man they are attached to. He found some just regular shoes for casual wear the other day but is looking for something a little sturdier for going walking in. And there begins the problems.

We went over to the outlet mall as they have the largest concentration of shoe stores. Seeing how he has good luck with Carke's that was the first stop. 532 pairs later we were no farther ahead.....this one was too tight and that one didn't have a thick enough sole and the next one rubbed his heel. Okay off to the next store......and the next.....and the next! I could now get a job working in a shoe store as I have become very proficient at finding sizes, unstuffing and restuffing shoes, putting everything back in the box.....I am a Pro! And after several hours at the outlet mall.....that's right ......no shoes!
In his defense, he did find a pair that would have been good but they only came in a 10 or 11 but not a 10 1/2......go figure.
We did however get to walk outside in a dust storm which produced grit in my eyes, sand in my mouth and a sandblasted face. How fun!
It's a good thing we are retired or there just wouldn't be these fun outings.

Ladies Golf was canceled today due to high winds. I was really looking forward to it but oh well these things happen. We had to run over to Mexico this morning to see if my meds were in that I had ordered......that was a waste of time as they had not come in and it was really busy down there due to March break. We carried on to Mission for last attempt at the latches for the storage compartments but no luck there either.
We needed to stop at few different place and pick up a few things and with that done we headed to the Restaurant for dinner......What a zoo!!! The waiter we had came over and apologized for "Crummy Service" but it was really more like no service! I had to flag someone down to wipe our table, he did bring me my drink, but we had to track down our own plates for the buffet and I had to go find my second drink myself......guess what .....no TIP! We never planned for this day to be a shopping day but it was.

When we got back the girls were happy to see us and we took them out for a walk. Happy hour was in progress but we just went over to say hi as the dogs really needed walking.

We had a hot tub with whitecaps, it was so windy! Some TV when we got back and then to bed.

Woke up with a headache so I decided right then and there to have a lazy day. Sat on the couch and did some crocheting and then had a nap.

I did wash the mats out of the bathroom and descummed the shower stall......which you could do everyday here because of the nasty water. I put the mats outside over a chair and they were literally dry within about 15 minutes.

For dinner we had brisket with mashed potatoes corn on the cob and broccoli. Colin had picked up a huge fresh pineapple so we had some of that for dessert.

After dinner we watched a movie and then headed over for a hot tub. A good soak really relaxes you for a good sleep.

Well after yesterdays wild day today it was time to buckle down and get the rest of my bookkeeping done. We had a nice sleep in and then Mexi decided it was time to get up for her morning walk. At 9:00 it was already 80 Degrees F. We made a quick trip out to the Don Wes Market for Colin to see if he could find the latches for the trailer storage compartments. He didn't find the latches but we did buy 50lbs of 1015 Onions for $8.00. They are like Vidalia Onions . We are going to split them with another couple here so no, we are not going to eat 50 lbs. of onions all by ourselves.

On the way home we stopped at the car wash and cleaned the bird poop off the hood. Nasty little Mexican birds!

When we got back I buckled down and finished......yes finished my bookkeeping. Soooo happy that is done!

Colin went back out to get some stuff from Lowe's and while he was gone I finished the laundry and also did huge stack of ironing. There was also just enough time to have a little nap.

We are having a late dinner and then a hot tub and bed.

Carol and Bob at Poncho's Bar.

Gordie and Denise.

A nice wave from Carol Connor.

That's right .......2 of these for $3.00!


Colin on his way to AyJalisco......too many Margaritas makes your brains fall out.


Carol and Larry........you go Girl!


It's all fun and games till Al ends up wearing his beer!

Al trying to clean up the mess.

As per yesterdays Blog my morning started at 6:45. Brush teeth, get dressed, take out dogs, stuff a banana in my mouth for breakfast and walk my golf bag down the street to my ride.
We arrived at the course a little before 7:30 got checked in and put into foursomes.......only ours was a fivesome. It was a Golf scramble where everyone hits their ball and then you play your next hit from the best ball in the group......How fun is that! There were some great drives, wonderful putts and then there were some not so great drives and putts, but who cares since you get to play from the best spot every time. I had a first today with my first ball to ever go into the River......The Resaka Gods needed payment. We had a great time and collectively turned a 2 under par score not the best but pretty darn good if you ask me. When we were finished we all went into the snack bar for a drink and then on home for a much needed shower. It was really hot by the time we left the Course.

A shower and a change of clothes made a new women out of me. We left for Mexico by 2:00 PM. and by this time the temperature was a balmy 99 Degrees F.

I stopped and got some medication from the pharmacy, then picked up a few things I wanted yet to take home. Poncho's Bar was the next stop for 2 for $3.00 Margaritas. As I was designated driver I had only 1 light beer but the general consensus was that the Margaritas were going down very well after being out in the heat. The next stop was AY JALISCO for dinner.
Of course more Margaritas and really good Mexican food. Some dancing took place here so things were getting lively. The next stop was the Galleria .......that's right m-o-r-e Margaritas and lots more dancing. I had so much fun today and i don't even drink!

By now it was time to leave so we made our mandatory stop at the duty free liquor store and then home to the park..........only Bob needed a Dairy Queen fix so we went back out to enjoy some cool treats. So do you think I will sleep good tonight??????zzzzzzzzzzz

I buckled down today and got to the last leg of my bookkeeping for the year. One more day should get me to the end! YAH!

We hosted Happy Hour today which as always was lots of fun.

Tonight was an early night as I have to get up at 6:45 so I can take the dogs out before I go golfing at 7:30......That's right.....you read correctly......Margaret will be getting up early to go golfing!

After we did our morning thing, Bob and Carol came over and asked us if we wanted to go to the Outlet Mall with them. Since Colin had not been yet we decided to go with them. Colin ended up buying a really nice new sort of sweatshirt type top....(only nicer), a little fold up in a pouch rain coat for his golf bag and a new pair of shoes. Thank god for the shoes because he was having an awful time with blisters in his other ones. After we had finished at the Outlet Mall we headed for HEB to pick up a few groceries and then decided that Bob needed a Dairy Queen Fix.....which by the way I think he needs everyday if you let him. By the time we got home I had a huge Migraine so I just had some soup and Colin made himself something to eat.

I crashed early.........

We got up and did our usual morning stuff and decided to wash the dogs before we left. Mexi was not at all impressed and Splash did her normal thing of going up and getting into the shower by herself. Talk about opposites!

We left shortly after noon and headed to Mission so we could get some parts at Camping World. Some little latches and door locks for the storage compartment. Then we worked our way back. We found some good sales and got some great deals. As we are heading up to Elliot Lake shortly after we get back home we will be needing some warmer clothing. Colin found some great hooded fleece Jackets for $4.00 and I found a couple of sweaters for under $10.00 each. They are clearing out all their "Winter" stuff right now (don't know who would wear a heavy sweater down here) but there are some good deals to be had.

We had dinner in McAllen and then headed back to the trailer to take the dogs out. They are always so happy to see us when we get back from someplace.

After putting away all the stuff we watched some TV and then headed to bed.

I got up this morning feeling the best I felt in several days. By the time I had walked the dogs and got my Golf Bag ready it was time to load up and go. When we got to the Golf Course I realized that I had forgotten my punch card. They told me I could bring it over after I played so that was good.

I played a much better game than the last time I played......had an awesome putt ....progress is good. On the way back to the park the lady I was driving with suggested that she was thinking of going to the outlet mall and would Carol and I like to come with her. Since I had never been there yet I decided, that was a good idea. I had an hour to have a quick shower, dress and have some lunch. Lucky for me Colin had lunch ready for me when I came in and he was also nice enough to run the punch card over to the course for me. I got two nice pair of pants which will be great for traveling home in and a very nice top for Golf. We got back to the trailer just after 5:00. Colin had gone out to get groceries so I took the dogs out for a walk.

Colin really did good today! He brought a cooked chicken home for dinner so I just had to cook some vegetables and dinner was ready. He got bonus points today!

We slept in today ..... but that was to be expected with the time change and all.

I got a whole bunch of accounting done today and had a nap in the afternoon. We had dinner and watched some TV and then it was time for bed Pretty boring day but you have to have those occasionally too. When I retired I earned the right to have boring days.

We were suppose to play golf with Bob and Carol today but I just was not feeling up to it as I had a hard time moving without coughing. I told Colin to go ahead without me and they found a 4th to play with them. I slept most of the afternoon and got up just when Carol came back. She let me know that Colin and Bob had decided to carry on and play another 9 holes.

I went out and walked the dogs and then joined the rest of the group on the street for happy hour. I stayed to myself so no one would catch my cold and did not partake of any of the snacks. I played a game of Bocci Ball ......and lost but it was the most active I have been for days.

We had dinner and then a hot tub and settled in for the evening with some TV.

The most exciting thing I did today was use up a box of Tissues and eat about 20 cough lozenges. I am hoping that today is my worst day. I got up at 6:45 because I just could not stop coughing. By 7:30 after taking the dogs out and turning on my computer I was very tired so I fell asleep on the couch. When I woke up it was almost 11:00. The rest of the day followed pretty much the same pattern.......do a little job then fall asleep on the couch. I did manage to wash dishes and change the bed and do a load of laundry. How's that for a Banner Day!

Colin's day was much better than mine. He went out in the afternoon to Academy Sports and came home with a whole bunch of stuff! He bought a new Outboard Motor for our dingy, A bunch of new shirts, some sweatshirts, a new cooler and a toy for the dogs. Thank goodness he brought home pizza for dinner because cooking was just not on my list of things to do today.

We watched some TV and I decided when I started falling asleep through one of the shows that I should just probably go to bed.

By 7:45 this morning my body had decided it had had enough of sleeping and Mexi thought it was a good idea too as she came up and sat on top if me and looked at me. We.....meaning the dogs and I got up and did our round of the park and then back to the trailer. I did dishes, vacuumed and made coffee all before his highness got up. We had some lunch and then decided to head over to Mexico for the rest of the afternoon.

When we first arrived we stopped at our favorite spot which is on the US side to have our 2 Banana Splits for $2.00.....I had a sore throat and it was hot so they went down really well.

We had been told that there was a lot more Military presents at the Border than when we were here in November. There was a tank and some armed personnel but it was not a big deal and certianly did not make us feel unsafe. I went into the "Almost Free" Pharmacy (and that really is the name) "I was worried that at this time of year they might be out of a lot of certain meds but when I asked they had 100's of boxes of the stuff I needed......Happy Me. We figure the money we save on buying meds in Mexico almost pays for our trip. After I got that straightened away I thought it would be good to get a pedicure. I did have to wait for about 20 minutes but then got a great pedicure, polish and leg massage for $10.00 including tip! Very pleased!

We walked through a few more shops looking for a few things and then made our mandatory stop at the Duty Free for 2 bottles of liquor.

On the way home we stopped and got some steaks for dinner and then headed back to the trailer. Dinner was very good although we had to move the BBQ to the back of the trailer so it was out of the wind. I watched some TV but passed out and missed most of what I was watching. I guess this cough is taking more out of me than I realize.

Llano Grande Golf Course . Pro Shop and Snack Bar.

Bob looking on while Colin takes his shot.

I got up feeling alot like a bus had ran over my head! I think while I was asleep someone poured cement into my sinuses. I have an nasty cough as well. It took a while but I finally got Colin's disease!

Carol had asked me to go golfing today and at first I thought I might cancel but then I decided that if I did I would just sit around feeling miserable so I went. The two other ladies that were suppose to go canceled so Colin and Carol's husband Bob came along. It was a nice sunny day so being outside probably helped me.


I did beat Colin by a few strokes but we both had really high scores......I guess you have to start somewhere.

When we got back we sat outside with Bob and Carol and had a drink and then we decided to go to Lin's for Chinese food. It sure beat having to cook!

The hot tub felt great and then we headed back for some TV and sleep...z.z.z.z

The weather today was wonderful......no humidity, a light breeze and mid 70's......perfect. The rest of March could stay just like this and I would be happy!

Our friend Bob took Colin out to the driving range to get him used to hitting the ball and after that they met up with Jerry to play 9 holes. Jerry came back before Colin and told me that he would be very tired. I asked him if they had made Colin play 18 holes and he said they didn't but Colin played the equivalent of 18 holes. Colin came home very stiff, sore and tired.....I think they were a little hard on him.

I had a good afternoon at home by myself. I did some laundry, some ironing, some accounting and got dinner ready to put on when Colin got home.

We sat outside when Colin got back but were eventually driven in by theselittle black bugs. They don't bite but they drive you crazy!

After dinner we watched some TV and then we went to the hot tub......much needed by Colin.

The wind kept blowing most of the night and this morning had died down some but was still pretty strong. I went over to talk to Carol after the dogs had been out to see if they were golfing. She said that she thought they were and that they would leave at around 10:30. Since this is all quite new for me I got all my stuff together and put in my bag the things I thought I would need. Carol came over with a set of wheels for me so that made things easier. We loaded everything into 2 vehicles and off we went. There was 8 of us all together so that worked out well.
I played with Carol and 2 other ladies from the street and we had a very good time. They said that for my first time I did pretty good so I am going with that.

I didn't realize how tired it made me though......when I got back I had a shower and then sat/laid on the couch and within minutes I was sound asleep.

We went for happy hour and then decided to have breakfast instead of dinner and since we were out of eggs we had to go to IHOP. On the way home we stopped and got some groceries and then headed back to the park. I think it will be an early night.

HOw would you like to find him curled up beside you in bed!!!

We woke up this morning to high winds and warm temperatures. It was fun taking the dogs out in the high winds......at one point I thought we might all blow away!

I had a nice long talk with Shelly on the phone and then made some lunch. At about 2:00 we headed out to McAllan to get a few things from Sam's Club and then we met our friends Ed and Frances at Joe's Crab House for dinner. We have not seen them since just before we left in the fall. We had a good dinner and good time catching up on each other's news.

When we got home we of course had to take the dogs out so we walked them around the block at the park. Heading back to our street we came across a strange resident of the park .......A Big Black and Brown Tarantula crossing the street right in front of us! Not something I would like to meet on a regular basis.

We had an early start thanks to Splash, who decided that she had to go out at 7:30 AM . After walking the dogs I started to ready the inside of the trailer for travel. Doing last minute dishes, making the bed and tidying up so the slides could be pulled in. After many hugs and good-byes we pulled out of the park and were on the road by 10:30.

We made good time and stopped about halfway to have some lunch at the Barn Door. It wasn't spectacular but it filled the hole. We went a different way as to avoid construction. It was actually quite a nice drive through the country. We pulled into Llano Grande, checked in at the office and pulled into our spot. By 5:00 we were all set up and had joined the happy hour on the street. It was good to be back.

The best part of being back was having a hot tub after dinner........so relaxing! I slept very well.