FUN IN OLD TOWN MCALLEN

Tuesday, March 1 – Another great weather for pickleball. After Marsha, Angie, Rick and Paul did their morning exercises, they headed for the pickleball court. Just after one day of instructions, the girls really played good. We ended up on the short end. Angie and Rick won the two games, 13-11 and 13-10. Another great time with friends.

You can’t see it, but Marsha has a very determined look on her face…LOL

That is Angie and Rick on the other side of the net.

Paul uses his strong backhand to miss the ball…HAHA.

We headed to historic downtown McAllen this afternoon to shop for our Mardi Gras costumes. Barb went with us while Bruce was out playing golf.

Downtown McAllen is like shopping in Mexico. A very Hispanic influence and really neat.

The only thing missing between here and Progresso, MX was the lack of the vendors yelling, “Hey lady, you want to buy….Hey lady, look here.” Also there was no bargaining…99¢ means 99¢. The good news is things were inexpensive!

Boy did we find some Mardi Gras costumes!! Great masks, wigs, hats, boas, and more. Paul can't believe he was talked into this.......CRAZY!!

Guess who these two people are.

For those who don’t know Barb, this is she.

After our shopping trip, we went over to friends and neighbors – Rick and Angie's house – for happy hour. Great time visiting with a large group of friends, enjoying snacks and a few adult beverages. Rick even lit the chiminea when it started cooling off after the sun went down. Boy, the ladies can sure make some great hors d'oeuvre.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see you back real soon. Have a great day!

HAPPY ANNIVERSAY TO PAUL!

Sunday, February 27 - We had a great time this afternoon! Went with a group of friends to El Charco.

It is like a Mexican Cantina, Texas Honky Tonk, or Tiki Bar wrapped into one. Tables outside under the trees and umbrellas.

Part of our group…Lt – Rt.
Paul, Barb, Bruce, Rick, Angie

It is even on an the lake.

There is an outdoor stage and dance floor with a live band.

Barb and Bruce getting down!

Marsha doing a line dance. That is Rick in front. We have no idea who the lady in green is.

They offer adult beverages and food. Great conversation with friends!

Sun was out and wind was blowing. But we had a GREAT TIME!

That is us enjoying a wonderful day.

Great place for us old timers....music starts at 2 o'clock and quits at 6:30.

Monday, Feb 28 – We finished up at Louisa's house today. The job turned out pretty nice. Louisa's son is going to do the painting.

Just sat around in the sun the rest of the day.....relaxing. Barb and Bruce stopped in for a visit. We are getting together with them at the Activity Center to play games this evening.....either Mexican Train or Farkle. Just a quiet evening with friends.

Tuesday, March 1 – HAPPY ANNIVERSAY, PAUL. It's hard to believe that it's only been one year ago today that Paul had Spinal Fusion surgery! It seems like years ago. He is doing WONDERFUL!!! Really no signs of ever having any back problems. He gave it a real good test this past week working at Louisa's. The marvels of modern surgery.......AMAZING!!!

Marsha finally got to try her hand at Pickleball this morning. We played with friends, Angie & Rick. Angie had never played before either. Had a good time and the girls did real good.

We will share our visit to Old Town McAllen in our next blog.

Thanks for visiting. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!

Friday, Feb 25 – Marsha's basket hobby is taking over Paul's life. He spent most of the day making new basket bottoms for Marsha's future projects......PHEW!!! Not only did he have to cut our various shapes and sizes, but then had to drill a million holes in them and sand them.....he doesn't have time for his own hobby!

Marsha's basket is all done! She put several coats of shellac on it and that is the final step. Now which shape and size will she start next?

Tonight is the 50's Sock Hop at the Activity Center. Of course, Marsha volunteered us to help with the bubble blowing contest and the hula hoop contest, and we are in charge of the popcorn machine.....SHEESH! ......how does she get me involved in these things??? Oh well, being a judge means I don't have to compete!

Mr. Popcorn Man

Getting ready to cruise.

Carol in the mood.

Dig the hair.

Marsha doing the hand jive.

Elvis even made an appearance.

Mike and Lynn were the organizer of event. Thanks you two. Great job!

Saturday, February 26 - Back to Louisa's house for the second coat on the drywall. This project has turned into a two man job......only John and I are working again today.  Hopefully, he can get the drywall done today.

We are expecting some friends this evening.....Barb & Bruce. We met Barb & Bruce in Livingston, TX, at the Escapee Headquarters when we first started full-timing. They are from Two Harbors, MN – where they spend their summers at their cabin on the lake. They do some pretty extensive traveling in the winter and are here in the RGV to see how Winter Texans live. Bruce writes a wonderful blog. Great sense of humor.

B & B arrived safely around 4 o'clock. We met them along the road to guide them effortlessly to their site. After they settled in, we had a quick happy hour to do a little catching up and then gave them the nickel tour of the park. We decided to go out for dinner.....this turned into a questionable decision. Marsha and I are not big “eater outers,” so where do we go? Gave our friend Norm a quick call and he gave us a place. Friends Betty and Jay were also going. So the six of us loaded up and headed to the restaurant.......opps, CLOSED! So leader Paul heads down the road looking for someplace to eat. Next thing we know, we are out in the boonies, it's getting dark, the road ends, the Border Patrol is cruising around, ...WE BETTER GET THE HECK OUT OF HERE! Eventually we found a place to eat. Not the greatest but we enjoyed our friends! Another memorable experience.....ha! Ha!

Lt.-Rt…Barb, Betty, Jay, Paul and Bruce. Marsha took the pictures…waiter didn’t speak English, so who knows what would have shown up in the picture. Possibly something like the next picture?

That is right…GOAT. If you look at the picture above, see the window in the upper right corner, that is where it is hanging.

Jay and Betty actually had goat in their Enchiladas. Marsha tasted them. They were GOOOOOD!

Before we close, we would like to thank all those who have left us comments. Thanks for your support with Louisa’s project. Sometimes, when the comment is sent it has a no-reply address. We don’t have all our followers email addresses, so this is our way of saying “Thanks”.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!