HAWKS ARE AT MY HOME

AMAZING, I read a story in the Sunday paper about the grey Hawk hanging
around local neighborhoods. A very interesting article. Of course I can't find the article
when I want to quote it.

I was sitting outside catching the last sunshine rays of the day. At the back of
our lot we have a bush that covers up the turn on valve for our water.
The birds, small birds, don't know what they are, but they hang out in this
bush and on the clothes line.

All of a sudden, there was BIG commotion. I clapped my hands to get rid of
the birds and I saw a BIG bird. Luckily, I had my camera outside with me and
I shot a few pictures of that grey HAWKEYE.......hanging out in my back yard!
Except this was not the grey Hawk, it was colorful, brown and white with the
dark eyes.

It is starting to get noisy, at 7 PM......down here in the valley, not only do
they shoot off fireworks, but they are just like the deceased SAD MAN.......
they shoot their guns in the air.....Anything to make noise......I will be
INSIDE with my cold Duck and FINE cigar at midnight..........

Don't forget your resolutions...........C

Colder than !!!!!!! IOWA

Well, not much, but at 8 AM, we were at the same temp, however,
it two hours, it was 50-48 Ankeny over Alamo. BUT, the dashboard
showed sun in Texas and clouds in Iowa. 75 to 34 now, after the
Iowa game is over, at 4 PM. I sat outside and read the paper for
a while, then went on a bicycle ride. Still issues with the seat on
Jeff's bicycle. I tried to fix it, adjust the seat itself as well as the
height. All of a sudden the stem slid down the shaft, stuck
inside! I sprayed some Pam inside, no luck, went to the shed
and found a needle nose plier and that worked. After a few
adjustments, I thought I had it. rode for half an hour, but I did
not like it. The bike is not easy to ride. I will adjust the seat higher
again and see what happens. I wish I had brought my Trek
along with me. I might go to the Pawn shop and see what they
have to offer.

IWBB went down to the wire vs. #7 Ohio State. I had to watch
the gametracker and once in a while the video worked. Any of
you smart computer people have any suggestions? Do I need to
add more gigs to the laptop? There was an ad in Comp USA
today for "Parallels Desktop for Mac"

$50 to run Windows and OS X at the same time, is this something
that would be worth my money so I can use my All Access on the
iMac? Or should I get more gigs on the laptop?

I have a cold beer in hand, sun is shining, I am headed back outside
to catch some more rays of sunshine.

Hauoli Maki Hiki Hou my friends..........

Too Windy to Golf

If I almost get blown off my bicycle, then it is too windy to golf. OH MY, 50 MPH
winds in the valley. 78 degrees today, but when you can't stand up over the
golf ball, OH MY.

I am also getting tired of being spoiled, as in being an owner of an electric
dish washer in Iowa. In the Valley, I am getting soggy hands from washing
dishes! Oh the good old days before retirement, just put the dishes into the
machine and walaa, they are clean in an hour, spotless. But, I think I am
saving water by doing them by hand, figure it out, I am just being lazy.

What do the kids in the Valley need? I think someone to know where they
are at, at 230 in the morning. When I hit the sack at night, I usually watch
an hour or so of DVD's before turning off the light. The last couple nights
I heard some voices when the TV was on, I thought it was from the show I was
watching. However, last night, the voices woke me up at 230 in the morning.
I looked out the back window and there was at least one boy in white, sitting
on the side of the shed, talking with his friends. Must have been about
10 to 12 years old. I think these are the same boys that were stealing the
oranges from the Hillman's trees. I went to the Police Dept and reported
the incident and asked for a drive by patrol from 10PM to 2 AM. I don't
think these kids need to be out goofing off at 230 AM. I hope it is just
goofing off and not casing the joint.

Moving right along, weather is great other than the wind and I am finding
myself spending at least one hour sitting outside enjoying the sun and
catching some rays every day. This afternoon there was a big boom from
the new construction to the west. I jumped up when one of the men
screamed. I was afraid someone fell while carrying a 4 X 8 panel to the roof.
The support on one corner just collapsed.

Finally back to some basketball tonight, in the middle of all of the bowl
games and Bobby Knight. The Iowa women are in Minnesota and they
better win, since Minn had most of the team either graduate or quit
after last season. They replaced 11 players! GO HAWKS...........

HOW COLD IS IT?

I awoke to the news on the radio.....35 degrees at 7AM.

OH MY, Jan says to that news, with a laugh!

Texas is as cold as Minnesota and Iowa..........

840 AM, 38 to 21, Alamo warmer than Ankeny.

What am I going to do today? Go shopping for that on sale
waffle iron, only $10. I think I will wander into Wally World and
laugh at the return lines.

Paint the hallway today? Too cold to golf this morning and
supposed to only make it to 69 this afternoon. Weeds are
growiing, I wonder if Tony will mow today? I hate thinking
about actually having to get the lawnmower out of the shed.

I wish I had taken the time to drive over to South Padre on
Christmas Day to brag like Marla is about golfing on the 24th!
Her course looks much nicer than the affordable courses I
play here in the Valley. I know of only two beautiful courses,
one in Weslaco and the SPI course in Laguna Vista.
Check out Marla's blog: grannynannyandbuck.blogspot
to see the beautiful course they played.

Oh, I need to go back to the linen store and see if they have
curtains on sale. Jeff got rid of the curtains in the living room
and kitchen a few years ago. I bought some kitchen curtains
on sale the other day, but need one more set.

Decisions, decisions......what to do.......make a pot of coffee
and read the paper.......take down the Christmas tree and
get rid of all of the Santa Clauses that I collect. Ornament
shopping! That's it! All Xmas stuff will be marked way down
starting today!

Gotta run..................go find the long johns and stay warm:)

Tracking Santa Claus

I have been following Santa's route. At 7 PM he was in Rio de Janiero, sp?.
the report came from Lt Rodriquez a Norad Pilot. Oh boy, Santa Claus is coming
to town........HO HO HO.........

Track Santa Claus

Check this web site....

www.noradsanta.org

I just logged on, Santa leaves the North Pole in about 9 hours.......

Hot Dog!!!!!!

Santa Claus is coming to town...........

Rain to Tornado or Snow?

It is raining in Iowa and thunderstorms in Texas. Will yours turn to snow?
Will mine become a tornado? I have NO basement, my neighbors don't
have basements. I guess I will be headed to the bath tub along with my
billfold and credit cards, cameras, photos disc box, where is the passport?
Cover up with a big pillow or maybe a table of some type, TV Tray?

This week is full of memories. 19th is when my Mom died, two funerals
for her, one in Alamo on the 22nd and the 2nd in Ankeny on the 26th along
with burial. The 23rd is the anniv. of my parent's wedding, 1933 in Waterloo,
Iowa. Oh, a blizzard was in progress. I think that equals a thunderstorm in
Alamo today!

I have been replacing a lot of worn out items in the mobile home. I was
wondering if the time will come when I have eliminated all of the products
that my Mom purchased in the past? Will the day come when all physical
items of hers will be gone? That will just leave her memory. HA.....I won't
get rid of the butterflies, ever! There will always be something here to
remind me.

It is quiet outdoors now. Grampa across the street just drove in. Yesterday he
brought home a bicycle for his grandson, free from some local group that
rewards good students!

I hope Santa Claus finds you, don't forget the cookies and beer chaser!

HO HO HO............Cindo...........

Crazy World In the Valley

Santa Claus just drove in, my wonderful mail man, Eric. He is a happy camper,
not like the carriers in IOWA who are constantly being threatened with their
jobs!

An interesting item in the news. A Texas soldier served in Iraq, came home,
was in an accident just south of me on Alamo Road, and died on Oct 3.
His name was Jesus Rodriquez. When his personal belongings arrived at
his mother's home, she found a letter written to him from his tocayo, his
name twin. Jesus Rodriquez is 10 years old and lives in Elsa.

The soldier's mother found him and gave him some momentos including
a puppy. The boy said YES, he'd like the 7 month puppy, a PIT BULL!!

My neighbors have a pitbull and another bigger dog tied up behind the house.
I saw it last week when I went for a walk. There are signs, beware of dog.
I carry a golf club when I walk. Most of the people that walk on this street
carry a stick of some kind.

I stir up conversations with the golf club and yesterday I had on a
Nebraska Tee shirt when I went to the store. I had four or five people stop me to
talk! They were from Kansas, Neb and one was a Cyclone Fan. I had a great
visit with that man.

Sun is shining, 64 degrees at 1130 AM. Guess I will be a bum again today,
feeling better, should be almost 100% by Monday. Here's looking up your
old address.........C

At Home with Freddy in Alamo

Here's the new look of the mobile home in Alamo. This is what I did the second week
in the valley, when it was 50 degrees. I need to finish the job, some touch up in
a couple places. Also need to go down the hallway to the bedroom and finish
with the yellow. Maybe I will find time to do the bedroom. If I do, that means new
carpet! Fun Fun Fun........Holly Happydays ya'll........

Cold in the Valley

That's right, cold in the Valley, ME, not the temp outside. It was 84 when I went to
Walgreens an hour ago, the dashboard says 74, perfect. I loaded up on Zicom,
throat lozenges Reeecola!! $2 for a package of 50, sounds ok. The house looks
like a junk yard again. Too much stuff around, I was working on the iMac all
day Sunday trying to learn how to use it. Washed the dishes, set them out
to dry, still have not put them away. The kitchen table is my junk drawer!

New family member via Heather and Stan Moore, Jan and Don Moore's 8th
grandchild. 5 girls and 3 boys. Newby was born on the 16th, 26 hours of
labor and finally a c section. Aunt Marla, Jr., and Cousin Megan won the pool,
right day and sex and only off about 2 oz. New pool has started for Megan
and Andy's son that is due on Jan 30.

The house to the west of me is progressing quite nicely in construction.
One guy is a hoot, he just screams in the Mexican language and sings
when I come outside. I looked at the house today from the front door,
it is huge! I am sure it will also be brick like most of the new built homes
down here. Cost must be lower than upper Midwest charges.

Hope to hit the beach again this week, if I feel better. I will have
Christmas dinner over in Mercedes, so I want to be healthy for that nice
meal. Four packages under the tree so far, maybe I need to go shopping
for myself! I have! But wrap them also.

Freddy is watching me to make sure I don't open any of the gifts. He has
that golf ball in his hand, like he might throw it at me any time! The
radio reported that 3 of 4 women snoop and open their gifts before the
25th, on the sly. I only did that once, egged on by Tiger Lilly Justice!
aka Mona, as in Mary Beth's mom. I think I will have to go visit her
this week if I get better, before all of the family arrives from Iowa and
Tulsa and Houston.

Celebrity quote about Christmas, "I quit believing in Santa was I was 6.
My Mom took me to see him and he asked for my autograph."
Shirley Temple.

I need a nap. Better set the alarm. I have received a bunch of Christmas
Cards. Thanks to everyone that sent one, especially great are the ones
with photos, that makes it less lonesome while here. I can look at the pix
and talk to you! Thank goodness the pix don't answer me?

I need a nap......XXOO

Beaches and raffic problems

It was finally time to hit the beach today. I have been in Alamo for three weeks and FINALLY!!

The raio talked about an accident on my route to the Island, so I decided to delay my leave time,
missed by 30 minutes, had to go for a bicycle ride. A normal 70 mile trip took two hours.
Expressway 83 east of Mercedes is under destruction, just like I 235 in Des Moines. When I
could see about one mile of back up, I exited. Take the frontage road for a while, more
back up. Turn around, go to What A Burger, east my sandwich and contemplate.....let's
go south, Business 83 should be within a half mile....wrong....

I finallly made it to the island after a two hour and 15 minute drive. However, all of the
delay just melted away when I stepped into the sand on South Padre Island.......

I had hoped for a longer day at the beach, but I figured more delays were ahead of me
on the way home......I made it through Harlingen and found business 83 with no problems.
Guess where there is more construction? Right.....

The waves were awesome today, a lot of surfers. One man was new to the sport. I
applaud him, I don't know if I can do this sport, without a life jacket....

I brought home some shells and hope that I can get enough gathered to make a
wind chime. If I can make another trip over before the 25th, I might go real early
and try to find some big shells to make a wreath.

It was 80 degrees on the way over. When I arrived at my favorite billboard, it was
still 80 and the billboard, rented by Budweiser, had a photo of Bud Select bottles
on it. Awesome.....Every year when Greg and I make our annual vacatiôn to the
Valley, I have to stop and take a picture. I have a bunch of billboard photos......

LIFE IS GREAT IN THE VALLEY

All of a sudden, things are really great. It must be the internet
hook up. I love to surf the net and I am finally hooked up on
the new iMac!

It will be a long week without any Iowa basketball. Can't wait
for Saturday, I think the Bulldogs will be beating up the Hawks
in Des Moines. I think Dr. Tom needs this victory so he can
retire. After he wins, let's send an e mail to Bowlsby and tell
him off, for the way he canned Dr. Tom.

Off to the beach on Weds since I haven't been there since
a year ago October!

Stay warm....

ANKENY IS FAMOUS IN TEXAS NEWSPAPER

Yes, Ankeny made the Monitor newspaper down here in
the Valley. We live in an "upscale Des Moines suburb",
according to the article. It was about Captain Jack
selling off part of his tree farm. I think I read the same
story before I made my road trip south. that means it was
in the DSM paper at least a month ago!

The weather is sweet today and supposed to be so all week
long, in the 70's. Overcast for a couple days, but Weds
will be blue skies smiling on me! Guess that means a
trip to the Island! There was an accident again, a barge
hit the cement that holds up the bridge. they put in some safety
measures five years ago when the bridge was partially
destroyed and there seems to be NO problem. I am so
happy! There is a park area, with public bathroom, so
I think I will buy the yearly pass for that area to rest and
relax and take pictures. I'd love to get a great shot of those
birds for the Art Center Photo Contest.

Tony is out and about on his big John Deere already this
morning. He tows a small wagon with tools, pretty funny!
He does yard work on a lot of mobile homes in the area, to
keep him busy. He keeps helping me out, like throwing out
somethings that I didn't want to go in the garbage.

Stay warm and if it gets to be too much of a drag the snow,
take a vacation and come on down! C

SOUTHERN LIVING

I guess I will have to stay at home for the bowl game, the

automobile repairs just cost me a new plasma TV and a

road trip to San Antonio. Oh well, things could be worse.

I have DSL finally and painted the living room while waiting

for warm weather. It is 45 today with rain, but it is NOT 14

like Iowa.

Put up the christmas tree and outdoor lights, looks festive,

but I am still unorganized. I don't have a junk drawer! Two

TV's on a tall 5 foot stand takes up too much room, I need

to do something about this problem. The computers are on

a table in the middle of the room so I can watch TV at the

same time.

With my Direct TV set up, I have been able to watch some BB

games from home, IOWA over ISU last night was great to watch.

I also saw Iowa's game in Arizona, forgot about the UNI game

in which they knocked out Alford again! What a hoot, they

really have Alford's number up there in Cedar Falls.

Pass along the blog spot address to classmates whose e mail

address I do not have. Keep in touch and have a great Christmas.

COLD AND WET IN TEXAS

45 degrees at 10 AM and holding. In the middle of the
night, more rain. Kind of fun listening to it rain on
the awnings, very musical at times. Things are looking
up, the DSL is up and running and I keep calling the
phone number to make sure it is really working and I
am not on dial up. I am still upset with the car dealer
and plan to call the Better Business Bureau on Monday
and find out how to file a complaint.

Tim Smith is my local weather person and he reported
on Friday night that Sunday, Monday and Tuesday the
temps should rise into the 70's. If that is the case, I
will be headed to the island and get in a round of golf.
In Iowa, if we had this temp with no rain, I bet the golf
courses would be busy, almost like Nov 8 when Marla
and I played 18 at Toad Valley.

Living room painting is pretty much done, I have to get
a small can of brown to touch up places where I smeared.

Did I mention the broken window? I was cleaning the
windows and took out the screen for the small bedroom
window. I put the screen on the ground and in that split
second, the glass fell out and hit me on the ankle, on my
sock. WOW, a few inches higher and I would have been in the
emergency room!

Guess that is my next repair job! The last for a while I hope.

I was able to watch Iowa men and ISU men play BB last
night. I forgot to check the schedule for the Iowa-UNI game.
Wow, I think UNI has Alford's number.

Back at you later, Northerners. Stay warm. I am cold, had to
buy a pair of slacks and sweats, but I AM NOT 14 DEGREES!

Buenos Tardes............C

It Ain't So Easy

I thought it would be easy to move. Go figure. Things are basically about five
years behind the real world when you think about DSL hook up and Direct
TV hook up. At least the TV was done on time, but the wind tore the hook
up off of the mobile. Anothe $50 to reset it with a tripod. DSL............it is
hooked up, but will take a few more hours tonight...

The Jimmy problem? OH, just 500 to fix, but they found something else that
they convinced me was necessary...........go figure, another 500..................

Today was beautiful, 80 degrees after five days of 50-60 temps. I could have
made a run to South Padre. I am so glad shit was happening......why?
because a barge hit the SPI bridge again. Five years ago it was destroyed
and Greg and I could not make the trip to the Island. Tonight they say it
is minor, no cars into the drink, the emergency warnings did their job.

We have plans for Christmas. I have invited my friends to come over, since
their park had bad food and delays in serving for Turkey day...........I think
they should come over to my home.......

The train whistle sounds about the same time every morning. I know
which crossing the train is encountering. Tower Road first, then Alamo
Road then Cesar Chavez...........that CH in Chavez is pronouned CHA.....vez.

Stay warm, cheer for our Iowa teams. come on down if you find some time.

Buenos Tardes..............Senorita Paca...............................

I CAME TO TEXAS FOR HIGH TEMPS

So who is responsible for the low temps in Texas? The
first week A OK, but now......still in shorts, but the furnace
is running at night, due to temps in the 50's. We might
have something warmer, due Sunday, then back down
for a few days........is my early Christmas present coming
with temps back in the 80's?

Keep saving your money. I am glad I did, the Jimmy is
F#$%&* with me and I had to take him to a repair shop.
I think I am getting screwed over by the local car dealer.
$500 to fix the problem and they found something else
wrong, another $500. They convinced me that I need the
2nd problem fixed. AND, a recall item.......something with
the emergency flashers......

I painted today, the first coat that is necessary so I can
paint over it, on panelling. panels can be slick and not
hold the paint, so I am good with the first coat. The
carpet that Jeff bought is multi colored......there is some blue,
some black, some maroon, some beige? Go figure,
HELP me with the color. I'd like to get this done before
Christmas Day.......the photographer speaking now.

Keep warm my friends, I am cold, at 60 or so, but I am NOT
14!

Aloha, buenos noches.............C

Rain Rain Go Away

Saturday and rain, what's a winter Texan to do? Set up the iMac
and try to hook it up with the new printer. Denial again, the Mac
can't find the USB cable, go figure. How about a trip to the Mall
and hardware stores? OK, but lesson learned, stay away from the
Malls on Saturdays. Our favorite sporting goods store will open
on Dec 22 at 8 AM and close on Dec 24 at 6 PM. SHOP TILL YOU
DROP IS THE TITLE!

Guess I have decided to paint the walls inside the mobile. New
carpet last year does not match, pretty goofy looking, two
different patterns.

Watched the Hawkeye men last night in their win over the local
team, Pan Am. Lousy first half, but they had a great second
half for the victory. I wonder if I can watch tonight's
championship game?

Wow, December 2 and no snow yet. Go figure. TV commercial
is of Best Buy with snow blowers. Big TV's, maybe that will
be my christmas gift to myself. HDTV is awesome, I think I
have found the right one for me........:-)

FIRST WEEK AS A WINTER TEXAN

A great first week. The singer Valentin was murdered after a concert
in Hildalgo last week. He did a video against drugs. A 38 year old man
had a 16 year old live in girl and her daughter. They had a fight. He
killed her, dumped her body in a cane field, burned her then dumped
the baby, about a year old along side of a road. The baby was
rescued was two families driving by. Within a couple hours and about
10 miles down the road they found a three year old boy. He came here
across a big body of water. Well, he and his sisters were split up from
their parents. They came over with some coyotes and other illegals.
The parents are in Florida?? Mexico is getting a new President. The
Congress is not happy with his new decisions, so they had a knock down
drag out fist fight! I was on the golf course today, hole #8, the wind
turned and in NO time flat, the temp dropped 20 degrees. It was 76
or so when I started and when I jumped back into the Jimmy it was
57. The wind blew the TV dish so hard it popped the screws that hook
it to the mobile. NO TV tonight. That goodness I have Superman with
me tonight! BUT..........IOWA LOST TO isu in BB............

Better weather expected on Monday or Tuesday. I have NO slacks or
jeans. I put up the Christmas tree today, if anyone wants to send
gifts to put under the tree, feel free to do so.............

I miss the dishwasher, this do it by hand stuff if getting boring!

Cuddle up and stay warm......Hasta Luego.............

Progresso, Mexico on a Day Trip

Another fine day in the Valley. A road trip planned to Mexico.
Need to pick up some medicine for a friend, $50 difference in
price from Mexico and the USA. We planned to leave at 9 AM,
shop and then have lunch at Arturo's, come home. However,
Arturo's does not open until 11 am. That's when we left
Mercedes for Progresso. Shop at the Canada Store, now owned
by Garcia's. I picked up some flower pots, no Beefeaters, but
Jose was only $8.25 for a fifth. Our favorite store is La Galeria'.
We picked up our peanuts and then went upstairs to the bar
for two for one drinks. Most places this is all day long.......except
for beer. M and M like margaritas, I had a strawberry daiquiri.
Delicious and the two man band was great.

Hark, it is lunch time. Arturo's is wonderful. Lots of male hosts
and waiters. No female workers anyplace. The Spanish women
are taken care of, they have the children at home. Three red
corn tacos with beans and rice and of course, the normal plate of
nachos and pico de gallo..........under $7.00..........

Tried to log onto the radio shows tonight on 1040 radio. No luck,
so I called in, talked about one second to Lisa, then the man
cut me off before I could ask my question. Boo Hiss........

Thurs night into the weekend, OH MY, should be down to the 60's.
I don't think I have any slacks! Will have to stay indoors and
work on something trivial.....

Take good care my friends.............

I think it is Saturday Night

The problem being a snowbird,winter Texas, retiree, et al..........
we don't know what day it is, unless we pick up the
newspaper......

Snowbird softball team practice starts next week. I wish I had
bought the equipment. Maybe I can find a glove down in Mexico.

the main problem is clean up the place, very dirty, due to the
owners of the field to our west have decided to sell lots and
build homes. All of our trees are gone and I'd like to put up
a fence to stope the dirt from the alley.

Black Friday was hell. The traffic was awful. It took a while to
find the stores that I wanted to shop at, at 4 PM, still a fiasco.

No deals. The DirectTV guy told me I could not use my Go Video
DVD and VHS recorder with our TV, because the TV is so OLD.

I am contemplating a new 32 inch plasma HDTV............

The wonderful man at CompUSA told me to get the hook up with
Radio Shack......he also set me up with Road Way DSL service.
I am thrilled..............The rebate will make the cost the same as
the slow dial up with AOL...........

It is 83 again today. I hear Iowa is also warm. Who is coming to
the Alamo Bowl? I will have to get online or call the box office
ASAP.............keep your head down and follow thru...........maybe
Tuesday I will get to the golf course...........Aloha, C

Honey I'm Home

I made it with NO problems. Great highways, 69 a four lane
divided hwy thru Ok., 75 mph. I avoided the major cities
and loved it. In Texas, we pass friendly. Two lane hwy,
with an extra lane on the outside. When you see someone
that wants to pass, you go to the right. When they pass,
they turn on their flasers or wave to say thank you!

Arrived in Alamo about 1145 AM on Weds. Of course, when I
turned on the water, explosion in the toilet this time!
Fought a major leak for 6 or 7 hours. The water was OFF
outside, but still leaking. I finally figured it out,
when they fixed the sink in Feb., they put in another
turn off valve. Once I turned that off, no problem.

I called my dear friends from Cedar Falls, Marian and Milo
are in Mercedes. I asked to use their shower. Yes, of course,
but on Thurs AM they called and said I should come over
and stay until the water was on again.

The neighbor brought me a plate of Turkey dinner and
then said he could help me. Eddie did the job. My only
problem was not cutting off the new pipe enough. Only about
one more inch of cutting! 24 hours later and all is dry.
I have a pile of towels that need to be laundered, will
probably go to the laundromat to save some time.

83 today, I went to a couple electronic stores about
4 PM. A mad house. I installed Direct TV and can't use
my DVD-VHS machine because the TV is too old! I either
buy a new TV or kiss off all of the DVD's that I brought
along!

The blog spot has changed. Can't use my regular Hook em
Horns Colors...........

Iowa in the Alamo Bowl? Hummmmmmm, might be right for a
road trip.......

Bowl Game

SO, who is coming to the bowl game?

Six hours to download the new security from Symantec!
BS!

I can not get DSL service via AT and T, I am 2300 feet
from the source and have to be 1700 feet away....Will
do some checking with Time Warner and Vonage......
internet service in the valley is about 5 years behind the
real world according to Wed newspaper...........

Let's do the Alamo Bowl, In San Antionio, not here in
my winter Texas home of Alamo. I might be about
3 or 4 hours away. I might have to go for the party time
and or the game and sleep overnight in the car.....
Go Hawks........

Snowbird Times

I have done the road trip from Ankeny to Alice and tomorrow to
Alamo. Today the weather was what I have planned on, for
the last 23 or 24 years. After the snow and ice on the mail route,
to being a snowbird in Texas..........75 degrees at the highest en
route to Alice. How sweet it is.

I walked from the hotel to Wally World after having a cold
beer upon arrival in Alice. I need a counter top oven, since I
don't trust our oven in Alamo. It has not been used in over 15
years. Black and Decker has two nice ones, the larger one can
do a 12 inch.........pizza........for $20 more. I think it is also the
size I need for my turkey.

Have a great Thanksgiving. I will be unpacking the load and
maybe even go hit a few on the links......I am tired, have about
six months to get my sleep in order.........Hasta Luego Mis amigos.

On the Road Again

I am in Palestine tonight..........right.........Palestine,
Texas. I am glad I changed my driving times, I have
arrived into the first two destinations about 4 PM.
Check in, take all of the good stuff to the room, go
find some dinner, back to the room for cocktail hour,
then have dinner.

Wake up call is 7 AM, nice breakfast bar at the Holiday
Inn's. I am also getting double points this week, I am
thinking I might have enough to pay for the hotel when
I go to the Big 10 tourney.

The roads are super.I chose to drive the scenic routes to
avoid the big cities. Avoid the traffic, crazy drivers zooming
back and forth in the lanes while I watch the signs to find
out where I have to turn. Good old hwy 69 in Ankeny........
hey, in Okla it is a 4 lane divided hwy and speed limit is 70 or
75. I am running at 65 and was going to figure out my
expenses tonight, but what the heck, I will do that when I
get to Alamo.

Keep in touch.........The snowbird............Cal......................

Down to the Nitty Gritty

This could be one of the last IOWA postings. Today I changed
my entire route to Texas, as well as hotels. I decided I didn't
want to drive such long days, no hurry to get to Alamo. Don't
want to fall asleep. Looks like three days of six and a half to
seven hours of driving. Weds morning I slide down 281 to Alamo
in two hours. That is good. I can still get to the grocery store
to pick up whatever I need to cook with my turkey.

I bought a breast, cut it in half, half for the boys, half for me.
I won't have to spend the whole days cooking this year. Only
plan on a salad and corn, milk, no bisquits or dressing. I
don't need all of those left overs.

Hawkeye women won last night. It was such a huge dual that
the Coach broke her shoes! When they went through the line
to shake hands, I looked over to see her barefoot! That is
a first! I hope they were old shoes....

Last night to bowl, two more Iowa BB games and I am
"ON THE ROAD AGAIN"

Ankeny to Vinita, OK., to Paris-Tyler-Palestine, to Victoria
and overnight #3 in Alice, Tx. Alice to Alamo on Weds AM,
I will probably sleep in! Gobble Gobble.............

MOVING THE WHOLE HOUSE?

I think I am packing too much for Texas. Three big
boxes full and one suitcase, one more box in the
basement and two suitcases to fill up. Still need room
for two or three coolers, a palm tree, overnight bag,
purse, camera equip and small suitcase with my toys!
I might be driving down the highway with the front
end in the air!

Anyone want to drive down to Texas and haul some of my
stuff? Just come along and stay for the winter.

Another deer in a public building. This time in a bank,
it was bambi, in Pittsburgh, PA. Poor little thing forgot
her ATM card!

IWBB on Weds, Fri and Sat., better get my stuff together
by Weds noon, Thursday at the latest. Hope I have room
for the palm tree and Freddy Couples! Make my day!

Seven Days and Counting

All of a sudden, I am on a time table. Today it was the
heath wise things, cosmetics, shampoo, etc., the bedroom
stuff. I didn't finish up, will have to hustle on Tues.

The week end was great. My favorite Iowa Hawkeyes
won the Kansas City, Mo., coach's tournament. We have
a short bench. "Eight's enough" is our slogan. 8 players
at full strength and three injured. Two should return
by the Big 10 in Jan. Poor Vandy is in a sling like the one
I had last year after surgery.

Great friends are here in Ankeny. We have been out for
a beer, slide around Wally World, off to Iowa City.......

I think we might have a real start with the Republican
Iowa and DC. I'd like to see some serious talks about
helping minimum wage workers. Someone like Greg that
works his butt off, but is dissed by co workers, because
they know Greg will do the work. A teen ager should not
make the same wage as a 60 year old man.

DO you have a free week end? Come on down to Texas.
We will golf and make a run to Mexico. Get yourself a
copy of your birth certificate OR a pass port.....cheap
booze and lunch at Arturo's.................

It's Winter

Who would believe, the TV channel has not started
their game of the first snow contest. SO? Two days
ago, I was on the golf course, slacks that should have
been shorts, but within 48 hours............the four
letter word..........SNOW!!

I should have left for Texas yesterday!

Let's head on down near south to KC, MO. The Iowa
Hawkeye Women will be knocking down Mo State
and Kansas or Seton Hall for their first tournament
victory of the year.

Snow? What's with an early snow when I have been
planning this trip for over 20 years? Just have to
get it on the road........BIG SMILE...........golf is on the
horizon on Thanksgiving Day...........Gobble Gobble.........

Too Much To Do, Not Enough Time

November 7, less than two weeks until blastoff. Most of the packing
is done, still need to condense some of the stuff. When I pack the
car, I will find out what I have to leave at home until next year. OR,
wrap it up and go to UPS to mail to Texas!

Today was spent at lunch with Tom Brands, Lisa Bluder, and Steve
Alford and Jim Zabel! It was the Polk county I Club winter sports
party in Des Moines. Great food, bought a pink Hawkeye hat and
some raffle tickets. Have not won for a couple years, but I won the
grandest prize, last one drawn. A Hawkeye Basketball autographed
by Lisa and Steve. I showed it to Lisa after the speeches were done
and asked her if the team would autograph it this week end down
at the KC tournament. She said yes!

Weds temps are supposed to be in the 70's, that means a round of
golf, right? The vote and golf promo at Toad Valley, Altoona, is
$12.50 for 18 holes and a cart, we are going. Another retiree event!

Keep your head down and follow through............

Fall and the Countdown

It is fall, the temps are way down, no more shorts
for the time being, 17 days until blastoff. Iowa WBB
has started and we might have lost our best rebounder
for the whole season. Vandy dove for a steal in the
exhibition game, popped out her shoulder. Three
others are also on the rehab list, hopefully they
will be ready for the Big 10 season.

The leaves on the Ash and Maple have fallen and
that was always Mom's signal of when to head to
Texas. I have packed the clothes, part of the music
necessities as well as some DVD's. I need motel
reservations, hope to drive until 5 PM every day,
making it a three day trip. Will arrive on Tuesday,
in time to hit the HEB and pick up a turkey breast
for Thurs holiday. Add some stuffing and veggie
and salad.........then sleep! First I have to vacuum
the bed and clean the bathroom and kitchen........
Should be able to get that done in two days....

Football season has been extended for the great
Ankeny Hawks. They won their first round game in
the postseason, three more games to the championship.

We were tied for first place in first flight at the
last Chili Dip at Honey Creek. Shot two strokes
better than the last outing, a 65. Won $30 both times,
cheap 18 holes of golf.

I am thinking I need to pack more today........

Football and Spooks

Saturday in Iowa and football and making
preparations for Halloween. The Hawks
won with a rookie QB, we are not too happy
with Mediacom Cable TV, if we had not
just purchased the college sports package,
we would not have been able to watch the
Iowa game. When I get to Texas, I am
hooking up Direct Satellite TV because
next summer the Big 10 is starting their
own TV station. The weather people are
on a roll, they predict 72 for Sunday, a
perfect temp for the last chili dip golf
outing at Honey Creek. The chili might be
too hot! Wonder if they have chocolate
malts available?

For Halloween, I bought microwave packs
of popcorn to give out. We have about a
dozen spooks come to the door and three
of them will be the former neighbors, Leah,4,
Austin 2, and Ella almost 1. I always give
them stuffed animals as an extra treat. They
just moved and made a sweet deal on their
home, which means our taxes will go up!

Watch our for black cats and ladders over
the next few days, its spooky out there!

Baby it's cold outside

This is the reason we bought the property in Texas
about 22 years ago, "today's temp is 32 with a
wind chill of a plus 16 degrees!" It is funny listening
to people talk about how cold it is, this is NOT
cold. 1983, Christmas Eve was cold. It was actual
temp of a minus 25 and wind chill made it a minus
100! We didn't deliver mail, but six of us went out to
deliver late Christmas presents, we could only get
three trucks to start. This is NOT cold!
We have a battle of the Bulldogs on Nov 4 at the
Knapp Center in Des Moines. Our long times favorites,
the Drake Bulldog men will host my Truman St Univ
Bulldogs in an exhibition game. Our local alumni
group will have a tailgate, at the Drake Diner. They
have door prizes from Truman, the usual stuff, tee
shirts, hats, pens. Two weeks ago we had a wine and
cheese tasting event in Des Moines. The medical
society reported today that we need to drink at least
three glasses of red wine per week, it helps prevent
colon cancer. Party on.

Put on your long johns, hats and mittens, dig out the
boots and zoot suits, shovels and snow blowers, get
ready because Baby, it is going to get cold outside,
soon....

PACKING

Another job done, I ordered the hitch and a ramp to hook onto the back
of the Jimmy for the trip to Texas. It is 23" by 60", so I bought a couple
plastic boxes. I hope I have enough room on the top to hook up the
bicycle. Guess that is the reason I see cars with only one wheel on their
bikes, not enough room!

Computer is still in the shop. Why should it take two weeks to get a
new coffee cup holder?

I am rooting for the Mets to win tonight over the Cards. I think
Detroit is too hot and will win the series. Drat those National League
Teams. Maybe my new man, Sweet Lou, will really pull those Cubs
out of their hole so they can play in October, 2007.

One month from today is the target, let's play some more golf in
Iowa......

PACKING

Another job done, I ordered the hitch and a ramp to hook onto the back
of the Jimmy for the trip to Texas. It is 23" by 60", so I bought a couple
plastic boxes. I hope I have enough room on the top to hook up the
bicycle. Guess that is the reason I see cars with only one wheel on their
bikes, not enough room!

Computer is still in the shop. Why should it take two weeks to get a
new coffee cup holder?

I am rooting for the Mets to win tonight over the Cards. I think
Detroit is too hot and will win the series. Drat those National League
Teams. Maybe my new man, Sweet Lou, will really pull those Cubs
out of their hole so they can play in October, 2007.

One month from today is the target, let's play some more golf in
Iowa......

One Day Closer to Texas

I am at the library using one of their computers. My coffee cup holder is
broken. It has been a week, they must have had to order parts. I get about
a half hour on the computer, free, I am my 2nd sign in time. I can't log into
my bank through this computer! Bummer. The days are getting X-ed out on
the calendar, about 34 days until I drive away for the winter. Every day there
is a new project to get done, I just have to DO THE JOB!

I went to Iowa city last week to attend the Hawkeye Women's BB press day.
Our tallest player is 6'7" tall, a sophomore who had a lot of valuable playing
time last season when the starting center tore her ACL. Lisa Bluder will have
a great line up of tall women on her team, with experience. Let's hope they
can beat Ohio State and Mich St and PURDUE! The Big 10 is a tough league.

Last week end's chili dipper golf event was great. We shot a 67, had too many
15-20 foot putts. NO bogey's and the winner shot a 56! That is this year's
record for the four person events at Honey Creek. This week ends weather
is supposed to be cold, about 40, so we are on hold, probably not playing.
We were tied for the top of the first flight, 17 teams, so we won $30 each!

Better get out the long johns and boots. I hope to be gone before it gets too
ugly on the roads. Hope I can be home to watch IWBB, etc., thru the Iowa
tournament, but if it snows too much, I will be gone asaicptc........As Soon As
I Can Pack The Car!

TexasHawks

I have not moved for 35 years, where do I start?
The essentials, cloths. What do I use everyday in
Iowa that I don't want to haul and are cheap to
replace? Stereo receiver? Take with. Printer?
Buy new. Golf clubs are the easiest, irons are in
Texas, do I need the hybrid only? Learn to use
an old putter? Last blog was nop published, "Life
is all about balls".......go figure

Life Is All About Balls

Golf Balls, Bowling Balls, Base Balls, Foot balls. That is most of
my entertainment in retirement. This week's golf took my fellow
retiree, Marla, and I to Honey Creek in Boone. The trees are such
a beautiful palet of colors. Co worker Debe and I walked nine at
Woodside aka Woodland Hills. Next week? Back to Honey for a
four person Chili Dip on Sunday. Bowling is going OK after being
off the team for one year. I have my average up to 160 and we
are starting to plan our trip to nationals next spring, North Carolina.
Baseball finds me cheering for the National League again, the
Dodgers vs Oakland would be fine with me. Footballs.........
HAWKS WIN vs. Purdue today at homecoming and my new
home's team is ahead of Oklahoma and Bobby Stoops right now,
that TEXAS LONGHORNS. That's why this color!
The new computer is coming along. I have nearly all of my 20 thou
photos transferred to CD's. After I burn, I check the results. Now
the laptop drawer is jammed again. !#$%^ Cuss Words. Aaron is
entertaining me with the Problem with the Bit##%^es. I am
making some success in packing for the south. Next week I am working
on clothes, 20 tee shirts, golf shirts,a couple dress up outfits, walking
shoes books, DVD's a long list. Better get that trailer hitch put on
the Jimmy..........C

Retirement activities

The weather has changed back to golf weather. Sunday found the old
foursome, as in the four of us that have played together in league for
about 15 years. Anyway, the old foursome played at Copper Creek in
Pleasant Hill. The course is three times longer, greens four times as
large with water and traps, bigger than Dayton. I shot a sweet 84 with
only two holes where I messed up. What does that say about my 85 at
Dayton? Pathetic or lack of concentration? Tuesday will take me and
my retiree buddy, Marla and hubby Mark, to the Harvestor in Rhodes,
Iowa. A high priced course, tough also. I am looking towards mid
November as my departure time for Texas. I have my music chosen,
now I have to pack the stereo units and one more job done! Keep
your head down and follow through! C

Rainy Days and NO GOLF

It is a good thing we were able to golf on Weds, since Thurs and Frid
are destined to be rainy. The new machine is a pistol and will give me
a lot of headaches until I have it mastered. My coach will probably get
tired of me real soon. I am glad she gave me a new UNI notebook to
write down everything.

Woodcliff, Nebraska

September 2006 at Woodcliff, Nebraska was
a mini JFK reunion. The Queen, Boomer,
Mel and Thandy in the back with Cindo,
Ree and Bucky. Weather was challenging,
4.8" of rain on night, the next night God
was mad at USC and stirred up some tornado
weather at halftime. C