While working in the yard on an 80 degree day last week,
they were also burning the sugar cane. These black things
on the cement next to my flowers are the ashes that flew
to my yard and mess up the deck, the cement patio, etc.
About two hours later, the wind almost cleaned it all up.
The petunias are blooming, the tomatoes are growing, almost
double their starting height. New project is to build a
rock path from the cement slab to the shed.....building...
I think these are the pelicans that were at Saylorville
Lake back in the fall. Snowbirds they are! Greg and I are
playing the same course on Monday, I will take the
big camera for some close-ups. Fly away....fore........
Greg needs a workout for his NOT beer belly. I think I
will have him working out all week long at the Summitt
Club and on the deck on the ab machine. We went to the
street market in McAllen and DonWes Flea Market for a
couple hours. Out for dinner at El Dorado for shrimp
wrapped in bacon, Greg loved it. I had chicken
Monterrey, chicken and onions and peppers smothered in
mozarella cheese. He also received a pumpkin pie instead
of birthday cake. Golf Monday morning. Fore........
This is the picture that didn't come through on an earlier
posting. Look out for gators on the island? NO........I was
LOST..........new shows start this week.........
This is a destroyed glasses case. I went to the HEB
grocery store, put on my sunglasses on the way out.
I must have dropped the case out of my purse. I went to
Wally World to get something, no glasses. After driving
back to HEB, talking to a clerk, looking through empty
grocery carts.....I went to the spot where I parked......
Someone, maybe ME, drove over the case and flattened it.
I found the case, my heart sank! I
opened up the case....OH MY!
I took out the glasses, one lens popped out and they were
pretty bent up. However, the great lady at Wally World
did her thing and bent the glasses back into shape. She
saved my a bunch of money!
Another SENIOR moment..........moving right along.......
For Groovy Granny in Minnesota. These are the two frames
I decorated. Plain wood frames painted with paper or
sponge to get an uneven look, so the brown shows thru
to give the look of sand. The left one has mixed colors
of shells, the one on the right has only white shells
and will get a picture of Greg on the beach. He comes
down next week for his birthday. The photo on the left
is from a store that I shop at by the lighthouse. The
shells are tied together with thick brown string to
give it a weather beaten look. Or use fishing line to
hang the shells from one stick for the wind chimes.
Let your imagination go.........Sticking together.......
The participants: Marion Christianson, 82, Michelle
McFarlane 60ish, and Cyndy ? she wrote down the
wrong age! Need some road work before next
year's event!
My first Olympics, as a participant!
Wow, what a shocker. Those Winter
Texan walkers are serious! I did my
one mile in 16:16, four minutes
faster than on the treadmill, but I
still have my mail carrier walk.
Even paces, be SAFE, but the officials
told us, don't look down, move those
arms, it is good for the heart!
Marion was probably the oldest.She
walks three miles a day at 4 MPH on
her treadmill! A pro!
I went to the top of the lighthouse.
Windy is the norm for Texan, but
75 steps UP, it was much breezier.
Is that a word? Hold onto your wig!
My Mom used to tell her Avion Travelcade friends
that I peddled my A@#$&* all over town, that's
when I rode to work on a two wheeler. New
and better scenery for my rides. I have on my
"5 o'clock somewhere sweater" it was still a
little breezy at this point. When I hit the
Gulf Road, I stopped and removed the sweater.
Blue skies smiling at me......Nothing but
Blue skies, did I see..........
It is just a little ship, probably
full of oil headed to the refinery.
It isn't a fishing boat, not enough
birds flying around it and attacking
the catch. Sun came out two hours
after they predicted on Friday. I
was content, met a great man, he is
opening a restaurant and gave me a
coupon for a discount! Better stop
in on the bike ride.....
A day without rain, time on the beach, a great bike ride
along the Gulf Road with hazards. On the way to SPI it was 64
and very cloudy, dropping to 59 at one point. The highest
I saw on the Jimmy, 75....at 1045 PM it is 61, 9 in Ankeny.
Now this is what I was hoping for weather wise for my first
winter in Texas. The furnace just kicked on, the weather
man said it could be down to 40 tonight. Just gotta laugh,
just like at the USPS............you never know what to
expect and what are the new policies..........
Two weeks ago I walked over the bridge and we had a little sunshine
that Saturday and a little on Sunday. Last Sunday we had about 2-3
hours of sunshine at the most.....Stretching it a bit, maybe 4-6 hours
of total sunshine, in two weeks,.......WELL, we had more than that today!
I took some blue sky pictures, will post them later, since I need dinner before the
Iowa women's BB game starts. I will get to watch them on chicago
Comcast.
I went to the Winter Texan event today. Free food, sandwiches from a
deli and ice cream from DQ. The DQ girls said they cut up 60 cakes.
They also had entertainment from Branson, MO., good if you like
that type of music. LOTS of door prizes. Finally I was a winner. I
won a one month membership to a sports club. I am happy about
that, since the weather is not supposed to be any better after Sunday,
back to rain!
I also had a bike ride, riding to San Juan to the liquor store corner
and back is about 6 miles round trip. I will ride again this week end,
they told me to go to the Park in Mission, they have a ten mile trail!
GO HAWKS........beat minnesota...........
Wow, It has been so long....At 10 AM,it might be only 46 degrees, but I
see blue skies! That is a big deal for Texas, since the last two weeks have
been all rain, except for my walk across the bridge and a couple hours
the last two Sundays. Other than these exceptions, it has been rain.
Up north it would be snow and ice......I am happy aboutthat, but this too
shall pass I hope. My golf game is not improving, can't play, there isn't
the drainage in Texas that we have up home. Therefore, the courses
are flooded. A neighbor drove down the alley yesterday and slid
sideways and was stuck in the mud. I bet they worked on it for at
least an hour before getting out of the hole he dug!
Off to a Winter Texan event, it ends at noon, so I better beat feet....
the laundry is done.....more later.......cal.........
He is a week old and I have not mentioned it yet. My dear friends Mark and Marla
are grandparents! Baby Bucky, so nicknamed by his Granny Nanny while in the
womb, was born 15 days early, on a Holiday, Jan 15, 722 AM, 8 lb 8 oz, 19",
brownish hair, blonde eyelashes and brown eyes. Granny wanted to be in the
delivery room, but Bucky had different ideas. They were back in Iowa and had
to wait out the snow and ice thru Iowa, Mo and Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas,
before they left Dayton again. All is well in AZ, Granny has her babe in arms.
PS. His new name is Andrew Jacob Thiel, he will be called Drew since Dad
is Andrew also.....I wonder if Dad Andy's middle name is Jacob?
Rock the cradle.......
What a crazy winter in Texas. Rain again today. I finished planting the
bougainvilleas, naming them Louie and DoggieHawk.....my mom's
nickname and my love for the Truman/Drake Bulldogs and W'loo-
Ankeny-IOWA Hawks..Not much to do in the rain, so I have to go
pick up a photo I had enlarged to enter in the Ankeny Photo Contest.
Then I will come back home and work on my crafts, gluing seashells
onto picture frames. I received a big box of stuff from the boys,
two weeks of newspapers, the Press Citizen and the comics and
some sports pages. Guess I have some reading to do or work on the
iMovie? or watch a movie? Wow, turn on the TV before 5 PM? I think
there is a law against that.....Stay dry and keep the home fires burning.
Buenos Tardes........
NO, it ain't the summer temps that I hoped for. I have only golfed
a few times, I don't like to golf with a bunch of clothes on, so I guess
I will wait for warmer temps. At least the gas prices are helping. A week
ago I filled up before traveling to the island, at $2.11.9 per gallon.
Today, a week and a half later.....$1.95.9......what a big drop! I hope
Iowa is dropping as well. I was raised on limited TV as opposed to
today's availability to see sporting events. #63 on the Bears is from
this area, however, I was a big fan of Johnny Unitas and stayed with
them until they snuck out of Baltimore in the middle of the night.
I hooked up with Joe and the 49ers and in the last couple years have
also been looking back at my Colts. Going to INDY for the last six
years for Big 10 BB has helped, so I am rooting for the Colts in two
weeks, but will not be disappointed if the Bears win. It would be
easier if one of these teams had lost, who do I root for? It is similar
to the game, Drake vs Iowa.........Raised on Drake Men's BB at Vet's.
Stay warm, don't hurt your back moving the snow, if you do....come
on down to the Valley and recouperate.....Hang loose mis amigos........
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Just a little early morning stroll of 3.5 miles from Port Isabel to
South Padre Island. Starting just south of the Lighthouse, over the
bridge and then the party at Louie's Backyard. The runner/walkers
don't party like the softball players used to.....go figure.........
49 degrees at 945 PM in Alamo
14 degrees in Ankeny.
this is a little test, to see if I can
remember how to download photos. I need
to do more of this so I can just do it
every day. I take a picture every day,
why can't I donwload a photo everyday so
you can see what I am doing?
Planted the bougainvillea's today, I gave
four of them names. From right to left,
Mark, Bucky, Granny Nanny and Cindo. the
other two are not planted yet, I don't
have names for them.
Petunias are blooming, life is good. I would
just like some sunshine........at least there
is NO SNOW........
Let's go to the beach.......
You might remember my love of ice......a whole year working INSIDE the PO with the
QUEEN and SLUGGO! A year from H#$%&LL......Well, we didn't get the bad cold along
with all of this rain. It is comical how they panic in the Valey, close schools, cancel
meetings, they warn you you stay HOME if there is ice! almost as bad as Iowa when
there MIGHT be 3 inches of snow.
Mexico was fun on Thursday. I picked up a few curios for projects and some peanuts
for cocktail hour. We always shop a the Canadian store, have two-fer cocktails at La
Galeria and lunch at Arturo's. I talked with fellow Iowans from Renwick and near
Manning. That's why I wear my Iowa jacket out and about, it is always a conversation
starter. I wore a Nebraska tee shirt to the store one day, met up with a Cyclone fan
as well as several folks from Kansas.
Today I will uncover the tomatoes and flowers and once again, clean. Pick up the junk and
maybe put in the new window. It is 46 right now to 9 in ankeny, 834 AM. By mid afternoon
is should be in the 50's......well, at least I have missed the snow and ice.........
OHH, I am Aunt Cyndy again. Bucky was born two weeks early, on Monday, the 15th.
Finally he has a real name, Andrew Jacob Thiel, aka DREW. He came in at 8 lbs 8 oz,
19 inches and "kinda" brownish hair. No word on his eye color....Granny Nanny Marla
and Mark headed out on Wed AM. I bet she was unbearable while waiting for the ice
to melt and get on the road. Their entire route was ice covered!
Carry on...........
I can hear the chuckles coming from the NORTH! I guess Texas has
winter once in a while also, but today it is all rain. It was 50 at 8 AM when I
checked the dashboard, going down.....I planted tomatoes and
petunias last week, tonight I have to cover them up to save them.
Tim Smith, the channel 5 weatherman, says...."close to freezing"..
I had a wonderful time on the island over the week end. I left Alamo
bright and early on Saturday, 718 AM to be exact. The plan was to
walk across the Queen Isabella Causeway from Port Isabel to South
Padre Island. they expected at least 1200 people in the two events,
a 10K and the 3.5 mile walk. They only shut down one lane of traffic
and the people in the cars took pictures, honked their horns, even
one Hawkeye came across that I yelled at GO HAWKS and they did
the same. The after race event was at this huge restaurant/bar, Louie's
backyard. It was over by 1 PM. I did the walk in under one and a half
hours, due to slowing down to take pictures, imagine? I saw the
90 year old lady that registered when I did and she was moving right
along! They estimated over 2000 people. The winning run time was
a man from Kenya, 31 min 41 seconds. @nd 31:44 and 3rd, 31:46....
The lady winner was 34 min I think. They had entrants in the 80
year range running.....time around one hour.......next year maybe!
After the race I went to two stores, checked into the motel, watched
the first half of the ISU men's BB game with Kansas, hit the beach
for a few hours, bought some dinner and went to the hot tub. My
room had a fridge and a microwave oven. the hot tub felt great, my
legs and feet ached. I forgot how walking the cement affects your
feet, six months from walking the Ankeny streets.
Sunday, I used up all of my rent time doing soduko puzzles and
when the sun finally came out, I took off for the beach. I went to
two stores with these big sales: buy one tee shirt at regular price
and get three or four FREE.....The shirts were $20. OR, buy one-
get one free, those were $10 shirts or the cheapy deluxe ones were
3 for $10, everything must go!
I parked at the park where I always go, there is a bathroom if needed.
Hopped on the bike and rode the route north almost back to the motel,
round trip about 10 miles, on the way back, into the wind!
I burned my nose, forgot the lotion, it was in the back of the Jimmy,
I was too lazy to crawl back there to get it. The bike and rack were
also on the backend, not again! The lotion will be in the beach bag.
Home about 6 PM, before dark. I popped out a lens on my glasses and
didn't have a small screwdriver along, so I had to get home before
dark.
Today, it is miserable, so I am doing housework......YUK! Laundry and I
fixed the blinds in the bathroom and I need some plugs to tighten one
towel bar......grocery store.....maybe the mall, I have to get this new
CD and Target didn't have it. I dread thinking about going to Wally
World........
According to Sidney Friedman, "Folks, pull down your pants and slide
on the ice." Have a good one.......BRRRRRRRRR............
That's right, I am very happy. The weather is what I had hoped for, that's
why I am in Texas. HOWEVER......there is always bad that goes with the good........
It's next week, the temps are back to fall temps in Iowa, the 50's.
I have plans for indoor activity, we are also going to make a run to
Progresso, we can wear jackets and stay inside at Arturo's for lunch
and visit La Galleria for margaritas and Tecate.....We will make it.....
What was that song? I shall survive?
Between now and then.....I will carry on.....old mail jeeps are in use
down here in the Valley, painted all white with a banner below the back
door that says.....USPS on two lines.....They must not have sold all of
those good old jeeps. They would not work anymore, since management
has added onto every route,doubled up on the work, how would we
fit all of the mail into those old jeeps.......go figure.........
On the road again.......off to the island in the AM......early to bed, early
to rise....overnight since there is a big party...........I hope I meet some
Iowans, I will be wearing my Tiger Hawk Hat, in case i get on TV.........
Keep smiling.......I planted my tomatoes yesterday..............C
Are you sick of this yet? yes, I spent the day at the beach. First I signed up for the
Wellness 10K or walk event this week end at Port Isabel and S Padre Is. We walk 3.5
miles, start in PI and walk across the 2.5 mile Causeway Bridge to SPI.....I am #127
and am glad I am doing this, a lady 90 years old came in right behind me to sign up.
If she can do....so can I!
Then I tried to sign up for the WinterTexan golf scramble. They had 6 teams open, I
could not sign up as a single and hope for other singles to sign up. Guess I am screwed
again! SO, after locating Louie's Backyard, a big restaurant/bar, where the after walk/
race party is held, I went to the beach. I took my plastic bag and headed out. I walked
about one mile north on the beach before turning around, at the end of the day I had
walked about 3.5 miles. I picked up a bag full of shells. I am cleaning them and am
going to send them to the groovy granny in Osakis for a grand kids craft event!
Due to road destruction, all of the stores are having big sales....I only went to two
stores, spent about $30. I think I will have to make all of my purchases before
the spring break kids arrive, then the prices will go up! I think we are supposed
to stay away from the island starting about March 1, but I'd love to go see all of
the activities and drunk teenagers........
Home by 530 PM and 65 degrees. The neighborhood kids were playing cops and
robbers. One was hiding behind my mobile. He said, don't let them know I am here.
I went outside to shoot pictures of the beautiful sunset and he wants a copy! Too bad
they are building that new house to my west side! It interferes with sunset photos.
Still regular jobs to do, tomorrow I pick up the new piece of glass for the window in
the small bedroom. It fell out when I was washing windows the first week of Dec. The
last person that replaced the window did NOT put in the seal to hold the window in
place. Two inches higher and I would have been in the emergency room! Was it Jeff
that didn't do the full job????
The week is supposed to be warm again, high 70's into the 80's. I think I will get in
a round of golf. No real grass on the fareways and the greens are really rough, so
not much practice during the winter, that is.....to improve my game. No putting
help!
Keep it in the middle.....fairways and greens.........XXOO.......Paca :o)
Every once in a while, I get that feeling......life is sweet. I think it is the
weather and the fact I don't have to buy anything as a NEED for the
mobile home.
Today I bought flowers and tomatoes. I will plant them
Tues or Weds. I will probably bring home some tomatoes that are
grown up a little and I will have a head start on the Iowa season.
I bought a half dozen ears of corn at a highway stand. Where are
the sweet yellow ears of corn from the Swanson homestead? the
ears do not look good.... small white corns,but I will eat them asap.....
I paid a dollar for a half dozen....
I have received a large amount of Christmas and Holiday greetings
from ya'll.....thank you. Your letters and Christmas news keeps me
in touch with my last life.....BEFORE RETIREMENT.........
Keep it in the middle...if you are able to knock around a golf ball
up north.....keep your head down and follow through.....or bring
your game down south for a long week end......there are a lot of
beds available.............FORE............Paca,,,,,,,,
Yes, a day at the beach, on the ocean, watching surfers, fishing boats go out and return,
sail boats on the horizon. Windy, but this is the life. I think I better invest in an RV and
live on the beach. This is where I always wanted to be. Our friend at the T Shirt Warehouse
told me not to live here at spring break time.....a zoo....I can sell out Alamo and find
a Park for March, April, etc.
I picked up some fresh shrimp, the real JUMBO shrimp that they advertise in Iowa. A
jumbo shrimp is about 5 inches long. In Hawaii a prawn was 8 " long. I asked the man
at the market how to de vein quicker. He sold me a $2 plastic item and showed me how
to do it.....where have I been all of these years? I just pull off the shell, slice down the
middle, butterfly the shrimp.......this is so easy......
Fireworks are still on sale and are still blasting away at night. Anyone want any fireworks?
Let me know and I will buy them, on sale, buy one, get one or two free......This would be
great at the family reunion next summer, if it is still going to be in Dayton.........
The beach, son of a beach.....I love it. I am also in Hawaii tonight, the PGA is playing at
Kapalua, I played there 20 y ears ago. Bet I can't afford it today......
Sandy feet in Texas........:-)
I am not having much luck with the weather these days. Hopefully by Friday it will be dry and I
am planning on South Padre Island. I went to the convention center today, they were having
a travel show. I came home with a huge bag of brochures, including Nebraska! Most places were
from Mexico, Vera Cruz, Monterray and Texas, all over the south and Austin area. The wine
tasting was crazy, there was about a teaspoon in the cup! Make a putt and win a tee shirt,miss
and get a pin from a 2005 10 K race???? I was able to watch the ISU women play BB tonight
and followed the Hawkeye women on gametracker on the Big 10 web site. The CSTV service that
I am paying for is ridiculous. I upgraded the PC and I still can't get the video or audio service!
Don't waste your money. Go to the DSM Register web site and click on sports and follow it to
College women's basketbal
until you get to "listen to sports on your PC." It says the offer is for $10 a one time charge and
they give you 200 stations. I pay $6.50 a month for the Hawkeye All Access service through
CSTV. I e mailed them to find out if I can access the service with an iMac. Somebody hit a
bank today with his car, on SPI. Wrong pedal and $1,000 or more damage to the bank!
If a lot of people gripped a knife and fork the way they do a golf club, they'd starve to death.....
Sam Snead quote.....
When you fall in love with golf, you seldom fall easy. It's obsession at first sight..Thomas Boswell.
For sure. Lots of great deals with the hotels on SPI, with golf, now I just need some sunshine....
Keep your head down and follow through......oops, that for summer time up north....try to Dome!
They really know how to celebrate New Year's Eve in Texas. The Fireworks
started early, about 9 PM. I kept going outside to see the explosions when
Alex the neighbor came over to take me to the party. There was about 15
people celebrating. About 11 PM the kids wanted to start with the fireworks,
one mom and sisters went to buy more and we had a blast, no pun intended.
They saved the big ones for midnight. At the stroke of midnight the skies
opened up and it was loud all over Alamo! Just like Summerfest in Ankeny
when they celebrate my birthday!
Then it was time for the pinata. It is tied up to the tree and one person raises
and lowers it. We didn't put on a blind fold, they just twisted us and we hit.
Alejandra started, then her brother Anem? I hit it about 10 times, but did not
shake loose any candy. Alex really assaulted the pinata and everyone dashed
to pick up candy. After about a dozen assaults, the pinata was done and the
two little kids picked up most of the candy.
The cold duck went down easy, I can't believe I drank the whole bottle! I
lit the FINE CIGAR just before midnight and the boys and I smoked it.
When I finally called it quits and came home, wow...about 145 AM!
I have a great picture of baby Aidan or Andrew, I can't remember, but
all the kids are "A" named. I see the dog came home, Buddy ran off
during the fireworks.
Don't forget to change your calendars! Feliz anos nuevos..............
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
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..........
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...........
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:)
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.........
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...........
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...........
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
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........
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
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......
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....
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
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
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 $50 to reset it with a tripod. DSL............it is
hooked up, but will take a few more hours tonight...
The Jimmy problem? OH, just 500 to fix, but they found something else that
they convinced me was necessary...........go figure, another 500..................
Today was beautiful, 80 degrees after five days of 50-60 temps. I could have
made a run to South Padre. I am so glad shit was happening......why?
because a barge hit the SPI bridge again. Five years ago it was destroyed
and Greg and I could not make the trip to the Island. Tonight they say it
is minor, no cars into the drink, the emergency warnings did their job.
We have plans for Christmas. I have invited my friends to come over, since
their park had bad food and delays in serving for Turkey day...........I think
they should come over to my home.......
The train whistle sounds about the same time every morning. I know
which crossing the train is encountering. Tower Road first, then Alamo
Road then Cesar Chavez...........that CH in Chavez is pronouned CHA.....vez.
Stay warm, cheer for our Iowa teams. come on down if you find some time.
Buenos Tardes..............Senorita Paca...............................
So who is responsible for the low temps in Texas? The
first week A OK, but now......still in shorts, but the furnace
is running at night, due to temps in the 50's. We might
have something warmer, due Sunday, then back down
for a few days........is my early Christmas present coming
with temps back in the 80's?
Keep saving your money. I am glad I did, the Jimmy is
F#$%&* 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
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........:-)
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.............
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.............
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
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.......
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........
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.
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......................
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.............
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!
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.................
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.........
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............
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........
