Monday, January 16, 2006
I had a little trouble publishing this morning but it wasn't the website this time. It was my connection at Verizon. It seems to be getting worse. I know they plan on dropping us free users of Express Net eventually, but I was hoping that it wouldn't be until after we go home in the Spring.
Wind that had started yesterday and kept us away from the pool continued on through today and it looks like it may do the same thing again today. After showering and getting ready we went to the office to check our mail and check on another registration that would be 3 days early next month. We didn't have any luck with the registration but our mail was there so e picked that up before we came back.
I stopped at Phil and Joyce's on the way back and asked them if they wanted to go to Wal-Mart with us. We had to pick up developed pictures from the Balloon Festival and Golf Cart Parade., and to also shop for some groceries.
We got back with just enough time to have lunch and go to the Manager's meeting in the Upper Clubhouse at 2 o'clock. I think the meeting was productive and informative and he still didn't take much of a beating which is a good thing. We all want these meetings to continue and if we take it easy on him for the first few meetings he'll have a had time cancelling them in the future.
The meeting ended at 3 and the 4 of us headed for the pool. The wind had stopped somewhat but the temperature of the pool was my main concern at this point. And when my ankles hit the pool they told me they wanted to be in the Hot Tub. The water was probably 88 degrees but at this point I've been spoiled rotten and I just don't enjoy the "tepid" water. The hot tub, however, was entirely enjoyable and I concentrated my efforts there. I know I'm a wuss, and I don't care. We came 2300 miles for warm water in the pool.
We were having cocktails by 4:30 this afternoon and that was just fine by me. By 5 we could have watched the 2 hour conclusion to the 24 premiere but the wind was gusting again and I just opted to wait until 8 and watch it on the cable instead. The show was a cliffhanger to say the least but that what it always is. I'm glad we didn't have to wait 4 weeks to get this far.
Sharon read her newspaper and checked e-mail at 10 and we lumbered into bed shortly after that. It didn't take long to start sawing logs. Zzzzzzzzz.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
We got up this morning with not much to do and Sharon took off to the Post Office to mail out Jennifer's Birthday gift. She was gone for a while and I went over to visit Phil and Joyce for awhile. I was back home and showered by the time she got home.
I called Verizon today to check on the credit we were supposed to get for over charges that we though we incurred. While I was on the phone I got upgraded to a new plan that gives us 50 more minutes a month for the same price. Kelly told me that we wouldn't have any changes in our services. We'll see.
After Sharon ate Breakfast she went outside to read her book and I came up with a brilliant idea. We should go up to the Mini-golf course at the Upper Clubhouse and shoot a practice round before Thursdays tournament. It will be the first of many upcoming events, I'm sure. We have to pay $2 to enter and they're using the entry fees for prizes. It should be a fun time. So we ate lunch and headed up the hill for the practice.
On the way back to the camper we decided to take a ride to see if we could find a way to Mountain View Drive by the back way down Corkill Rd. It would save us some time on the way out of here. The roads didn't go through so that plan fell flat on its face.
We also wanted to check out the new campground that the Manager spoke about at the meeting yesterday. It's a campground that has been on the books since we became members, and although there were workmen there, it doesn't appear it will be open in the near future. The roads are paved and the cubs are in but the clubhouse burned some years back, and hasn't been rebuilt.
We got back home in time to go to the pool. Phil has been busy trying to get the pool warmed up to last year's temperature, and I think he finally succeeded. It was measurably nicer today than it's been since we arrived. The big wuss even went in for about an hour. Then of course we finished off the day with a soak in the hot tub that was indeed lovely.
Back at home again Sharon was assembling the Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad and Garlic Bread and the 2 Buck Chuck For Dinner tonight. It was all very good and hit our little Italian spot. We don't have spaghetti very often because of the carbs involved, so this was a treat for a change.
We called Phil and Joyce to inquire about Dominoes this evening, but there was no answer and I left a message. Sharon called again about a half hour later and they still didn't answer. For some reason they didn't get the message until about 2 hours later. They're only about 4 sites away from us so if we would have walked over there we could have talked to them, instead of relying on the telephone. We were thinking that they may have gone somewhere and never suspected they were at home. The more technology helps you out the lazier you get.
We watched things on TV tonight that we never watch. Primarily because the shows stink and we have no interest in them. We still stayed up until 10 and surfed the Internet as an alternative. I checked on gas prices at Quartzsite and they were only 4 cents cheaper than here. ($2.41) Gas is going to cost us a fortune this year. We went to bed specifically to dream about cheaper gas prices. Like it will happen.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Taco Wednesday today. We look forward to this day cause it's one of the times that Sharon can get me to drink beer, or for that matter, liquor of any kind. But you have to drink beer with tacos. It would be a sacrilege not to. The Browns and Parents arrived just after we did and sat with us. They each had a quesadilla
When we woke up this morning, it was clear and calm but a little chilly. By the time we left the VFW the wind had started to pick up and it was blowing pretty good by the time we arrived home. We had stayed for 4 pitchers of beer since Phil had opted to pass up shooting pool again today.
We went to the pool immediately after we got back and I think there were actual whitecaps on the water. The temperature of the water was quite nice, but the wind had certainly cooled it down some. As long as you stayed under the water it was quite pleasant. The trip from the pool to the hot tub was a little nippy even though it's only about 20 feet.
When we finally made it home we didn't feel much like eating supper so we both opted for a nap instead. By the time we woke up it was almost dark outside and was the beginning of a beautiful sunset. The whole sky was orange depicting the demise of today's sun. The color took over most of the night sky.
Phil and Joyce would be coming over for Dominoes tonight since we missed an opportunity last night. They arrived about 7 o'clock and we commenced the first of our two games of Chickenfoot for the night. Phil kicked butt in the first one and then Sharon beat him by one point in the second. Joyce and I just provided someone for them to beat, while we ate the snacks and sipped the nectar.
All the time we were playing tonight the wind was howling. The awnings over the slides were flapping pretty good and the motorhome was even rocking on occasion. Later in the day Mt. San Jacinto was obliterated by the dust in the air. This happens every so often when the wind blows. By the time we went to bed it seemed to have died down some, but we'll have to wait and see what it's like tomorrow. About the only thing they predict with accuracy here is the wind. They're not worth a damn with rain.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
By this morning the wind had died down somewhat. It was still gusting but the gusts were of less velocity. But with the wind still blowing it was a little nippy outside to say the least. I stayed inside til Phil and Joyce came over at about 11. We talked for awhile and I told them that I would be taking the car up the hill today to the Mini-golf Tournament at 2. I had to take a couple of guffaws after I divulged this information but I knew I'd be standing around once I got up there and I didn't want any trouble with my leg.
After lunch I got an upset stomach and I wasn't feeling very good so I sat in my recliner and took a short nap for myself until it was time to go up to the golf tournament. By the time we left for the tournament I was feeling a little better. I was feeling really good when Me and the Mrs. took third and won each of us a BBQ Sirloin Burger worth $4 apiece. The entry fee was $1 apiece so we did rather well indeed. We had a couple of bad holes, like everybody does, and we were 4 strokes off the winner. To win, it requires a lot of "Blind Stupid Luck" and we had some of it with 3 holes in one. But in the end we came up a little bit short. Phil and Joyce were only a couple of shots behind us.
It was later in the afternoon when we got home but we were still interested in going to the pool even though the water had to be cooler today because of the 24 hour wind that had been blowing. When we entered the water it was a little cooler, but it still seemed warm even though the new thermometer said it was only 84 degrees. Brrr! We stayed in it til we got cold and then headed for the hot tub which was it's usual 104 degrees. Sharon left to come home early cause she can't stand all that hot water in the hot tub. Sharon started on the supper as long as she was at home anyway.
She had put Chicken Breasts in the Crock Pot earlier today and was intending to BBQ them for supper. We also had Green Beans and a lettuce salad with a little vino of the 2 Buck Chuck variety to help them down. It was very good indeed.
We called Phil and Joyce to see if they wanted to play some Dominoes tonight but Joyce's favorite show, The O.C is on tonight. We also had a couple of CSI's on tonight so we would catch them. After we ran out of TV I pugged in my Seinfeld DVD of the first two seasons. We were on the 2nd disc of the 4-disc set. We still have some to go before we finish them up. I'm in no hurry.
At 9 Sharon decided to get on the computer and read the newspaper and check e-mail. I continued to watch the Seinfeld DVD and when she finished online we both headed south for the night.
Friday, January 20, 2006
The basic trouble with not doing anything significant the day before is that it gets difficult to recall what you did the day before, the next morning. I have this trouble every once in a while and it's happened today. We've pretty much been doing nothing all day except go to the pool and then playing dominoes every other night, while watching our favorite shows in between. These are the times on the road that are just not that exciting, but everyday can't be an earth shaker. We've also cut our visits to the Agua Caliente Casino for Breakfast because of the almost doubling of the price. Actually its more than doubled from the $7.49 for two that we enjoyed a couple of short years ago. Now it's $17.22 for two which is still not a bad price for the Breakfast you get, but it's just a lot more than we're used to. It still beats the hell out of Denny's.
We just watched a little TV this morning before I turned on the radio and listened to Rush this morning. Walter Williams was hosting this morning. I like Walter. He's a black professor who's not afraid to tell it like it is and make fun of everyone equally.
After lunch we went over to Phil and Joyce's to visit and see Irv and Linda. We sat for awhile before we finally decided to go to the pool for awhile. When Sharon and I got there Roy was already in the pool. He had planned on playing Texas Hold-em' in the clubhouse today and didn't make it to the second break.
The pool water was warmer again today at 88 degrees but still not warm enough for our tastes. By tomorrow if the wind quits blowing it will be just about right, although there were a ton of people in the pool today, and not complaining about the temp. It appears they were happy with the warmth. I think we managed to fit about 25 people in the hot tub today. That sounds like it should be crowded but it really isn't as the "tub" is about 20 X 30 feet in size.
We came home just in time for Jeopardy and Seinfeld Re-runs before se sat down for a Supper of Shrimp Creole and Garlic Bread, one of my all-time favorites. Sharon even enticed me into a couple of glasses of wine to complement the entree'.
After Dinner at 7 we went over to the Bach's to play some Dominoes. We played 1½ games tonight cause the first game was a marathon. For some reason which is unexplainable we couldn't get through the first game. In any event, we managed to eat microwave Kettle Corn and sip on nectar for the night. We finished off the evening with Brownies that Joyce made.
We were back home by 10:30 and in bed shortly after that. I guess it had been some kind of day after all. Sometimes you just don't realize.
Saturday, January 21, 2006
We got a leisurely start this morning because we had intended to take in a few Garage Sales and it's always a little nippy here early in the morning. We got going about10 and it was still a little chilly. While we were gone this morning it seems like everybody found "something" except me. But I can go to a thousand garage sales and only find a couple of things. I guess I'm a little more particular about buying other people's junk. I always weigh the item against the amount of room it will take up to carry it. Our last stop this morning was at Caliente Springs where they have a huge craft sale every couple of weeks. The campground is very nice with a huge pool area where the sale takes place. I didn't find anything over there either.
We got back home just before lunch. I finished up the Shrimp Creole from last night and it was just as good as a leftover. We had a couple of hours before we went to the pool so I just sat around and relaxed, something I do very well. I gave my mother a call while I was relaxing. Everything is peachy hunky dorey there. Yeah right.
We left for the pool at 2 and Phil and Joyce were already over there. Phil was playing pool today and Joyce was in the pool. There was huge crowd in the pool today. The water was a couple of degrees warmer again today (90) and Phil had done well to get it warmed up. He had brought it up at the Manager's meeting the other day and then followed up with the guy who actually adjusts the temperature. It's been getting warmer everyday since Tuesday. Sharon left the pool, as usual early, and came home to sort out the laundry to go and get it done today. By the time got home she was standing by the door with the laundry bags full and waiting. She suggested I stay home while she takes care of it. So I decided to cook up the onions and peppers for our sandwiches for supper. She had a Round Steak in the Crock Pot all day cooking and tenderizing. When she got home at 6 the peppers and onions were caramelized to perfection and we were ready to eat.
After Dinner we called Phil and Joyce but he was online with the phone so he didn't answer. I walked the 4 sites over there and checked to see if they wanted to play Dominoes tonight. I didn't want to count on the phone to make a connection. When I explained that this is our last chance because Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy are on tomorrow and then 24 is on the following night, they said yes. We could actually tape those shows and watch them later on but we could actually just watch them when they come on and forget the Dominoes.
They stopped over at 7 and Joyce won the first game and Phil won the second. We're not going to invite them over anymore, at least for the next month, unless they start to play better with others. Actually on Tuesday we won't see them for a month cause we're headed in different directions.
We played til about 10:15 and then they left and Sharon logged on to the Internet. I watched a special on Lincoln on the History Channel. But we weren't up long before the stagecoach was put away and the horses were marched back to the barn.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Sharon, who was intending to go to church this morning was running late by the time she got up. She blamed it on me for not waking her up in time. Oh well, I've been blamed before. I was up watching a movie by the time she got up. My Sunday shows had 3 of my "favorite" people on them. John Kerry, Dick Durbin and John McCain. I had to change the channel before I threw up. Hence, the movie and no politics.
Sharon stopped on her way home and did some shopping at K-Mart including picking up a load of coke for our trip to Quartzsite next week. We had also planned on picking up some wood (free) for campfires next week. There was a party who had just cut down a Tamarisk Tree in a park close by who was giving it away. Sharon found the notice on the laundry bulletin board and she called them right away. We had them hold it for us and told them we would be there today to pick it up. Unfortunately it was mostly stumps that were pretty big. We took as much as we thought we could carry in the motorhome and even went back for a second trip. I had a relatively empty compartment in the motorhome and we would take the rest in the trunk of the car.
We got an e-mail from Henry and Arlene LeDuc telling us they were already in Quartzsite at Roadrunner which is down the road a piece from Mile Marker 99. We shot them back a note telling them that we go to MM 99, not Roadrunner. So far we haven't heard back from them.
After lunch we did our usual trip to the pool. The water temp was delicious but there was nobody there today. Not like yesterday when it was full. We just assumed that it was probably because of the jam session happening at the same time in the Upper Clubhouse. Not so, since we were at the clubhouse later for the BBQ Sirloin burger.
We still had the tickets for the mini-golf prize we had won on Tuesday. We were up to collect our burgers with Phil and Joyce. After Dinner we retired to our separate abodes. We had TV playing new episodes tonight and didn't feel like missing them.
I had been having trouble with the computer for the last two days so I ran a Checkdisk and Defragmented the Hard drive while I was watching TV tonight. That took a couple of hours to complete, and I'm hoping that will cure our problems but I'm not optimistic. We stayed up until 11 waiting for the computer to finish and then we were off to bed in a flash. Nite, nite.
