Monday, March 1, 2010

A new day, a new month and getting ready for our last month in the area.  We still haven't decided if we're going through Casa Grande in April or if we'll leave here and head north toward home.  It will mostly depend on friends Mary and Jerry Milan who live in Casa Grande in the winter time.  If they're going to be there we'll go back through there.

We both got up and walked today.  Sharon on her long route and me taking in an extra block in th campground.  I'll keep increasing my distance as long as my back holds out.  After I got home this morning I saw something in the campground that I wanted to take a picture of, so I picked up the camera and went outside.  I couldn't get the camera to stay "on" so I came back inside and started surfing the Internet for a new camera.  We'd been having trouble with the camera since we left home this year and it appears that it's time for a new one.  I've never liked this camera since we bought it anyway.  I found the one that I had researched at home before we left.

When Sharon got back from walking to Catalina and picking up our mail we decided to go to the Cottage Too for Breakfast this morning.  She was actually going to have cereal and I decided to go to the CT for both of us.

While we were out we had planned to go to Best Buy and check out the camera I found on the Internet.  We probably won't buy it there but I wanted additional information about it's specifications.  I'm sure I can get the same thing for cheaper off the Internet.  We also wanted to stop at a Verizon store to check out the problem with the battery on the phone, and a grocery stop at Wal-Mart to pick up a few items for this week.

I didn't have any luck at the Verizon store and they suggested I call Verizon Tech Support.  I spent about 20 minutes on the phone with Tech Support and never got satisfaction with them either.  This was the first time I've had trouble with the company.  I'm supposed to call Marco back when I have everything connected to my computer.  Later tonight I tried to contact Marco but he failed to call me back.  So at this point we're still in Limbo.

We got back home in plenty of time to go to the pool today.  The weather was exquisite and so was the pool.  On our way to the pool we ran into Phil and Joyce Bach who were just returning to the valley for the next month.  They were already in their swim gear and were obviously on they're way to the pool.  We spoke together for a few moments before they went to register, and we went to the pool.

After we left the pool we fended for ourselves tonight for supper.  We had plenty of leftovers to choose from and didn't have a problem finding enough to eat.  Tonight was also the night for "24" to continue.  The plot is definitely thickening on that show.  We actually managed to catch all the programs on opposing networks via the DVR.  And get them all in before 10.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

We were both up and went for our respective walks this morning.  After we got back we decided that today was going to be the day we would wash the motorhome.  We had planned on only washing the bottom half since that was the only part that was messed up.  It took us right up until noon the get the job done.  Sharon did most of the washing and I did most of the supervising.  It looks quite good now.

We ate lunch at home today, but I tried to get a lunch at the Pak Inn together with Terry and Jo-Anne and Phil and Joyce.  That didn't work out because Terry was having tires put on their car today.

After lunch we just relaxed until It was time to go to the pool.  I was quite sore from washing the motorhome so the warm water in the pool and the hot tub was going to feel good.  We stayed at the pool until about 4 when we came home and had leftover Penne Pasta for supper.

Tonight was Klub Karaoke night at the Clubhouse at Catalina Spa.  We watched a couple of shows on TV before we left for the night.  Phil and Joyce were waiting at the clubhouse when we got there.  They already had a table reserved for us.  It didn't look like it was going to be as busy as it has been over the past couple of weeks.  It was a pretty good night never-the-less.  The music ran right up until 9 when we left to drive back home.

We were home in time to watch a couple of pre-taped shows that had been on tonight.  That took us right up to 10:30 and just past our bedtime.  It wasn't far to get to the bed for the night.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Our standard opening for the morning took place again today.  Get up, go for a walk, come home and eat Breakfast.  It's getting to be a regular routine.

It was also "Patio Sales at your site" day today.  But the sales have been decreasing over the past couple of years and there just isn't very many people who sell things anymore.

It is also "Taco Wednesday" today at the VFW.  We told Phil and Joyce at Karaoke last night that we would pick them up around noon today.  We pulled up in front of their motorhome as the clock struck 12.

By the time we got to the club we were all surprised.  Even though the parking lot seemed crowded there was hardly a crowd inside.  The second Dining Room was empty for the most part.  All the years we have been coming here it had never been this empty before.  It managed to fill up in about a half hour, but it started out empty when we arrived.  Very unusual.

While we were in the VFW the wind started to pick up and it looked like it would continue for the rest of the day.  It was about 3:30 and nobody was in the pool when we dropped Phil and Joyce off at home, so Sharon and I decided not to come back for the pool.  We sat down to relax at home and ended up taking naps for ourselves while watching TV.

Supper was going to be a "fend for yourself" affair tonight in our household, which was fine by me, cause I wasn't hungry anyway.  I had some Sour Cream and Onion Chips later on and Sharon had a PB&Banana sandwich.

Sharon got bored with TV and took off with the laundry to get that caught up for this week.  I offered to help but she declined so I carried the basket out to the car for her.

The wind picked up tonight and attempted to play hell with the satellite dish.  It didn't affect it to much and certainly didn't affect the TV watching for the night.  By the time 10:30 rolled around the wind was howling quite well and the motorhome was rocking.  It continued all night until morning and woke me up several times.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

MOVE Day today.  Our week is up and it was time to move back to Catalina for two more weeks. We were up early but chose not to move until at least 9 when a few sites will open up from other people also moving.  Terry and Jo-Anne are also moving back from Indio today for their final 3 weeks in the States.

We were moved in and set up by 10 even though the wind was still blowing somewhat.  We managed a good site for Wi-Fi ad I called Verizon to have our BroadBand removed from our account.  This new system is working out quite well for us.

Phil stopped over this morning while he was out slumming.  He was just checking out the neighborhood.

Sharon took off this morning to register, check for mail  and then she was going to town to do some shopping and hit the Post Office and then pick up lunch on her way back.  She was stopping at Carl's Jr. and picking up a salad and a Bacon Western Cheeseburger and Fries for me.  I like that sandwich almost as much as a Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese from McDonald's.

It was almost time for the pool by the time we finished lunch so we got changed and headed for the white caps.  We didn't expect many people in the pool today because of the wind and there were a couple of parties going on today for people in the park.  And the pool was empty when we got there but Phil and Joyce were in the hot tub with several other people.  We went directly to the pool and had it all to ourselves.  The pool acquired a bunch of people in a short while and soon it was full of people.  I guess they finally figured out the wind wasn't really that bad.

By the time we got home we still hadn't heard from the Bertamini's so Sharon gave them a call and found out their friends from Alberta had arrived in town.  We had planned to go to the clubhouse tonight for Mexican food with Phil and Joyce and wondered if Terry and Jo-Anne might want to join us.  They were already eating and planning on going to the Street Fair in Palm Springs tonight, with their friends.

By 5 we were headed to the upper clubhouse to have Dinner.  Phil and Joyce were already there and had a table reserved for us.  I had heard that they now have Chicken Enchiladas on the menu and that's what we both ordered.  There were 3 Enchiladas in the order and they turned out to be very good indeed.  They were loaded with chicken and very tasty.

After Dinner we headed home but not before we agreed to pick up Phil and Joyce tomorrow morning for Rummage Sales and Breakfast at the Cottage Too.

We settled in for TV tonight and watching everything that was on tape.  We didn't succeed since there were a couple of movies included in the mix.  But we had a good time trying to get it all in.  By 10 we had to hit the hay in order to rise from the ashes early tomorrow and get rolling.

Friday, March 5, 2010

We were up early this morning and off to some rummage sales around the campgrounds.  We had two places that were immediate neighbors but we passed them by on our way to Breakfast at the Cottage Too.  Phil and Joyce had joined us this morning on our quest to find some treasures.  Unfortunately Sharon was the only one who actually found anything to purchase.  She bought a bracelet and a book.  Big Whoop.

I tracked our new camera this morning and found it had been delivered yesterday at 12.43 so we picked that up, from the office, on our way home.  We spent the rest of the morning, until it was time to go to the pool, reading instructions and taking useless pictures.  We had a basic idea of how the camera works before we went to the pool.  Maybe there's still time to put a couple of pictures in the Newsletter before I send it out.  Well see.

The wind had picked up slightly since we left this morning but it was still very pleasant to go to the pool.  The water in the pool has consistently been in the 90's this year.  The pool wasn't that "occupied" when we got there but it filled up shortly afterward.  We had a couple of people still trying to swim laps in a full pool.  Idiots.  There's a pool in the Upper Campground that caters to swimmers trying to get their exercise.  We prefer to just float on our noodles and conversate.

We got home about 4:30 which was well after Jeopardy was Broadcast but our DVR saved the day again.  We just simply played it when we got settled.  Sharon whipped up some Pigs in a Blanket tonight for Supper.  Hot Dogs rolled up in Crescent Rolls with Baked Beans and Macaroni and Cheese.  It was quite refreshing for a change and really hit the spot.

We settled in front of the Telly for the night.  But by the time you record all the off-channels it really turns into a pretty good night.  We managed to have plenty to watch until 10 when we sauntered off to bed.  I went first tonight as Sharon wanted to finish off a book.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

After a fashion this morning we both headed out on our walks.  It had been couple of days for both of us since we had walked.  Sharon walked up to Dillon and I did my usual 2 blocks in the park.  The blocks here seem to be bigger than at Desert Pools, which is a good thing.  After we came back I offered to cook us Egg McMuffins, but Sharon declined, so I just made one for myself.

After Breakfast I got back into the instruction manual for the new camera.  I was trying to figure out why the memory card that I had wouldn't work in the camera.  I took a walk over to Phil's but her was in bed napping.  I guess he didn't feel good.  Joyce told me she would send him down when he gets up.

I went back home and decided to take on another chapter in the book.  I found out a couple more things about the camera before Phil came by.  When he saw the memory card he realized it wasn't all there.  The chip was missing, and only the holder was left.  Sharon though it might be in the other telephone that we just replaced and retrieved it.  Phil opened it up and found the chip, put it back in the holder and now we have memory enough for 196 pictures instead of 18.  I love it when a plan comes together.

By this time we would be having a quick lunch and then heading for the pool. It now is a little bit cool out because they had predicted rain for today.  The rain didn't come but the sky clouded up and hid the sun.  We knew the pool water would be very nice however, so we went to the pool anyway.  Surprisingly the pool was crowded with people who knew the same thing we did.  Even Terry and Jo-Anne made an appearance today.  We were back home by 4:30.

Sharon cooked up BBQ Chicken Wings for supper tonight.  We also had the leftover Baked Beans from supper the other night.  The wings were very good and so were the beans.

We settled in for TV for the night but Saturdays are notoriously bad days for TV.  We managed to find enough to watch until 10 anyway.  We recorded a few shows on the off channels to watch for the night.  At 10 we just gave up and crashed and burned.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Sharon was off to church this morning after she got up.  She told me not to wait on Breakfast so I just made it without her.  I whipped up some Bacon, Eggs, Hash Browns and Toast for 1.  It turned out very good as always.

I printed up the hard copies of the Newsletter this morning right after Sharon got back.  I usually have her proof read it before I actually print it up.  I started having trouble with the printer as soon as I tried to print the first "Letter."  I fooled around with it for about an hour before I finally got the 9 copies I needed to mail out.  I finished up just before noon.

It was cold out today so we wouldn't be going to the pool under any circumstances.  The rain predicted yesterday came today in spurts.  It was a great day to sneak a little nap for ourselves so we did.

Later this afternoon we were going to Terry and Jo-Anne's for Dinner.  By the time we got there Phil and Joyce had already arrived and the guys were gone to pick up Bruce over at Sky Valley.  Sky Valley is about 10 miles down the road and Bruce is staying there for the week.

When Terry got back with the guys he put the Burgers on the grill that we were having for supper.  They went well with the mixed vegetables and Potato Salad that rounded out the Dinner.  For Dessert we had a piece of a Giant Apple Pie and Ice Cream.  They bought it at Cosco and it was the biggest pie I've ever seen, and my Dad was a Baker, with his own bakery.  After we were done eating our burgers Pat and Kelly, also friends from Calgary, arrived from Yuma.  When they were finished we all had a go at the Apple Pie.  It was very good indeed.  We stayed at the Bertamini's just talking stuff with the 9 of us until about 8 when we left to go home.  It was quite nippy outside and the car was loaded with heavy dew and leftover rain.

We watched a couple of shows that I had taped earlier before we headed for the "flat mat" in the sleep chamber.  It was still only about 10:30.