WE MADE IT TO MISSION….HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Saturday, December 31

We wish all our family and friends and HEATHLY and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

Friday, December 30 – We traveled to Mission, Texas, today. It is located in the Rio Grande Valley in southern Texas on the border with Mexico. We pulled out of the Houston Elks Club bright and early for our trip. We drove through fog the first three hours of the trip.

Our first stop was at Prasek's Smokehouse in Hillje, TX, about 60 miles south of Houston on Highway 59.

Paul read about this stop on Rudy & Linda's blog, Home Sweet RV. You can see their blog here: http://www.mytripjournal.com/HomeSweetRV2012 . Not only do they sell fresh meats but also numerous flavors of jerky, BBQ, and smoked meats.

There is a wonderful bakery selling pastries and kaloches, cookies, and strudels.

 

They have a HUGE aquarium, beautiful gift store and the walls had unique decorations.

So after grabbing a cup of coffee and some breakfast sandwiches, we continued toward south Texas. Paul did take a moment to check the oil in the front bearing hub. A leak was discovered during routine maintenance, and we decided to wait till arriving in Mission to get it repaired. We stopped every 90 minutes or so to check the oil level and add any oil if needed.

Now this isn't something you see everyday while driving down the highway.

This guy was going 60 MPH with FIVE dogs in the back and NO tailgate. We think he is crazy, but the dogs seemed to be having a wonderful time.

Even though Paul had to add a little oil on each stop, it wasn't excessive, and we arrived at our location in Hidden Valley Ranch, Mission, Texas, by mid-afternoon. We are parked on a covered RV site. The site is huge.

We have no one behind us.

Street views

This is the first time we've parked under a roof. It's nice to get the MH out of the weather, but it has created a challenge. We could not use our roof mounted satellite dish because the roof blocks the signal. So after several frustrating calls with Direct TV, our satellite provider, we are scheduled to have a new dish mounted on the side of the RV cover on Tuesday and at no cost! Unfortunately, that means no TV till then. Darn....we're going to miss the bowl games broadcast over New Year's weekend!

UPDATE ON SATELLITE:  One of our friends, Rick Radosevic, came to the rescue. He came down Saturday afternoon and helped Paul get a signal on a temporary satellite dish that we borrowed from Norm Leech, another friend, so we can watch football this weekend. RV friends to the rescue!!  Thanks guys!

Other than that one stumbling block, we have a great site and are anxious to relax in the nice weather and enjoy the next two months here in the Rio Grande Valley.

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

MARSHA'S BACK IN HOUSTON…TIME TO ROLL

Thursday, December 29 – Just a short blog to tell all our family and friends that Marsha arrived at Bush Airport 20 minutes early…WHAT…EARLY? Her plane touched down at 12:10 a.m. this morning. We gathered her luggage, drove home and talked for a short time. She was all wound up, but Paul was ready to hit the sack.  Paul said…we can talk all you want tomorrow. Marsha…that will never happen!

A bit about Marsha's doctor appointment on Tuesday. The doctor was on vacation so she saw the nurse practitioner. Marsha said she was very nice. The NP looked at the stiches but told Marsha they all must dissolve on their own. She did help a couple along by cutting the knots off of them. Marsha expressed that she was very happy with her left eye and how much more open it is. What a difference it has made in her sight, but she was concerned about all the swelling in the right one. The NP assured Marsha that it may take up to THREE MONTHS before all the swelling is gone. The NP's only concern was the amount of swelling still below both eyes. She said the amount Marsha had was more than normal. She would discuss it with the doctor when he called in the morning. She explained that doctor would do one of three things…
1. Do nothing…but that was unlikely to happen.
2. Prescribe a diuretic…Marsha explained that she can never take those because she was only born with one kidney.
3. Prescribe a Medrol Pak…Marsha explained that she can only take a short term dosage…again due to her kidney.

The doctor did prescribe the Medrol Pak. She began them today. She should see results by tomorrow afternoon. She…of course…can not wait.

Her only restrictions for the next four weeks are no strenuous exercise, running or other activity. She can work out at a low-key level…no sit-ups, crunches are any head up and down activities. She is not to use any lotion or creams around her eyes. She said she can live with these.

Thursday evening picture.

We are off tomorrow morning for Mission, TX, our home base for the next two months. We spent last winter here and really enjoyed all the friends we made. We are looking forward to the warm weather, all the super activities, and seeing our friends again.

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

ANOTHER WONDERFUL, BLESSED CHRISTMAS

Tuesday, December 27 – The Weavers and Wadsworths celebrated another glorious Christmas together.

The stockings were hung by the coffee table with care…and bulging with gifts. The extra little snowman stocking Santa left for Kelly's boyfriend, Dave.

It looks like a couple of girls were pretty good this year.

Before we opened gifts, we made a Skype call to Paul and Bella. It was a wonderful way to wish him a Merry Christmas. Marsha's dad had never heard of Skype and was just amazed the entire time we talked.

We showed you a picture with Carrie's favorite gift, the Kitchen Aid Mixer…here is Kelly's…

The girls gave us car mats for the front and back. A HUGE gift that we were going to purchase in Mission. They then gave Marsha several other wonderful gifts. THANKS again, girls, for the super gifts. Once Marsha and the girls opened gifts at dad's house, they headed for Rickie's house, Marsha's brother. They didn't have to go to far; his backyard butts up against dad's.

Marsha made baskets for everyone…those pictures will come in a future blog…but she also made one special gift for her sister, Stacie. Stacie was diagnosed with breast cancer just last November. She is only 40. Marsha's gift…a prayer shawl for comfort and hope for the future. Stacie was very happy to receive the gift.

Each year, we kids rack our brains trying to find something to get our dad for Christmas. Last year it was a new TV…this year a new tiller. Boy was he surprised and sooooooo happy to receive it.  That should make putting in his garden this spring a little bit more enjoyable.

Marsha's Godchild and nephew, Keith, was so fired up to receive his gift from her.

Can you guess what is inside….remember he is only 30…

Great Lakes Christmas Ale. This is a beer locally brewed that only comes out for two weeks during the Christmas season. We never knew beer could cost so much!! But, Keith says it is the best gift he ever received…his standards aren't set very high.

We all received way more than what we deserved, but no one volunteered to give it back. Tons of food was consumed, and the traditional holiday photos were taken.

Carrie, Marsha and Kelly

From our family to yours….We wish you a happy and healthy New Year!!!

One last photo…an update on Marsha's progress. Each day the swelling goes down. She is still pretty bruised under her eyes, and even though you can't tell it from the photo, she has lots of stitches that haven't dissolved. She feel great and thanks everyone for their prayers and well wishes. She sees the doctor on Wednesday.

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