And a Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!!
I am sitting in my 'dining area' at 8 AM and I decided to do this as I wait for the guys to pick me up to go golfing!! Kit is off to exercises so I decided this is as good a time as ever!!
Something different and unusual (at least for us) happened last night - we lost our power!! I checked the breakers outside and the main one into the unit would not reset so I called Phil and we decided the best thing to do was to call security which he did and got the manager's number and he got hold of the maintenance guy and they showed up at 7:30 this morning and put a new breaker in!! I am very pleased with this outcome - at least we had several flashlights so we weren't running into things too much! At least we had water and heat - the furnace is on a separate breaker. It gave us (Kit) a bit of a break from cleaning so I guess that was a good thing.
Speaking of cleaning, we(Kit) are basically done the main portion of the unit - now for the Arizona room. That is where we put most of the stuff to get it out of the way!! This is a very nice unit but it was VERY dirty. Mostly dust and dirt but there was sure a lot of it. Thank goodness for Betty and Phil. They gave us a lot of help and loaned us things - like a vacuum!! Several other friends have also volunteered their labor so it has been very nice. Still a lot of work though.
Of course with tomorrow being Christmas Day it will be quite different for us. Tonight we are going over to Betty and Phil's for supper - along with Cliff and Suzanne - so that should be very nice. Tomorrow we are going to the 'ballroom' for Christmas dinner. The table of sixteen will include mostly Canadian friends with a couple of 'token' Americans!! The park supplies the ham (this is the USA!) and we do the rest. It should be fun. Of course Kit is doing a double sweet potato recipe. I even made some peanut brittle this year and have be spreading it around to special people!!
That's enough 'news' for today. More next week!! Have a great day tomorrow.
Monday, December 24, 2018
Saturday, December 15, 2018
New Goings On!!
Well, we did something that I swore that we would never - we purchased a Park Model at Sun Life RV Park!!!?? We decided a couple of weeks ago that we needed a change if we were going to continue enjoying this place and this would involve not only what we were living in and also what was involved in getting here and getting home afterwards!! It was nice coming down without the snow and ice and winter driving and it is nice staying here without the winter snow and ice. We really do like our fifth wheel but, everything else around here, it is showing signs of age!! So, we decided to take the plunge. We started out looking for something that we could afford - did I tell you that we have also made a deal to sell the fifth wheel and, of course, the truck!!! If we don't have the fifth wheel, we certainly don't need the truck!! Unfortunately, the returns on our two vehicles will not quite cover the cost of the park model!!! Oh well, the story of my life. Hopefully, we can get the financing etc. done in the next few days and take over on our possession date of Dec. 20!!! or before if we can get everything done that we are supposed to! Then, we have to move all of our 'stuff' and get the vehicles over to the outfit that is buying them. Then, we (I) can relax and enjoy life again!!
We had a bit of an unusual happening at golf yesterday - a FROST delay of about 30 minutes. It was a bit cooler down at Queen Creek than here - about 4 degrees C. Basically the coldest morning yet.
Even socially we have been a bit busier than usual. Thursday we had a Street Christmas party and had 80 people attending. Probably the most participation of any social event for the street in years. We did not have a pot luck which attracted quite a few. Yesterday, the south end of the street had a 'pancake supper'. Along with bacon, sausages, eggs, juice, sweet buns and fresh fruit. Everyone either contributed food or assisted with the setup and cooking. Kit was on the organizing committee with about 7 other ladies who all did a fantastic job. After that, there was parade of decorated golf carts organized by the sales people that had about 15 entries and carrying folks that were feeling no pain. I think that there was some sort of prize at the end but we did not go down to the awards ceremony!! Anyhow, some interesting things!!
Not much else has been going on, thank goodness, but we will be busy over the next few days. Here are few pictures of some of the decorations in the area and a few of the carts from last night.
We had a bit of an unusual happening at golf yesterday - a FROST delay of about 30 minutes. It was a bit cooler down at Queen Creek than here - about 4 degrees C. Basically the coldest morning yet.
Even socially we have been a bit busier than usual. Thursday we had a Street Christmas party and had 80 people attending. Probably the most participation of any social event for the street in years. We did not have a pot luck which attracted quite a few. Yesterday, the south end of the street had a 'pancake supper'. Along with bacon, sausages, eggs, juice, sweet buns and fresh fruit. Everyone either contributed food or assisted with the setup and cooking. Kit was on the organizing committee with about 7 other ladies who all did a fantastic job. After that, there was parade of decorated golf carts organized by the sales people that had about 15 entries and carrying folks that were feeling no pain. I think that there was some sort of prize at the end but we did not go down to the awards ceremony!! Anyhow, some interesting things!!
Not much else has been going on, thank goodness, but we will be busy over the next few days. Here are few pictures of some of the decorations in the area and a few of the carts from last night.
Thursday, December 6, 2018
The weather today is not wonderful!! It is 'showering' on and off for most of the day and is supposed to be the same for tomorrow - golf day!! Oh well, we all have umbrellas and jackets. The temperature is only in the low 60's this week - that s about 15 to most of you! At least we don't have to shovel the rain.
Not a lot to report this time. I had to buy and change a tire on the unit yesterday. From somewhere I got a cut in the tire that could not be repaired so I had to get a new one and change it myself. I had forgotten how difficult that could be be but it did get done! Now to get started on the cleaning and upkeep on the outside!!
We stopped in at a wine and cheese early this afternoon. That is after going around looking at all the open houses of the units for sale in the resort. 'We' have sort got the idea that it might be a good time to have a more 'permanent' abode down here rather than pulling this unit down year after year and wondering how long it is going to last and whether we will outlast it!!?? We found a few possibilities but ones 'we' really like are out of our price range. We will keep looking though as more come up for sale each week. I also went over and checked out a dealer that buys used RVs so that gave me more to think about. That is what Cliff did a couple of years ago and that worked out quite well for him. Lots of things to think about.
The Bob Rock Memorial Golf Tournament is going to be held in January for the third annual time. We will be going to take part as it is very much fun and for a very good cause - Bob was a long time resident here who died of Lou Gehrig's Disease. He was the son-in-law of Keith Hyland (from Okotoks) who does our Friday golf setup.
Kit has been spending a lot of time getting to know people over at the sewing room and quite enjoying it. She has met a lot more people doing this - something like me and my golf on Fridays!!
Our street Christmas party is next Thursday afternoon so that should be a bit of fun. Kit got 'pulled in' to be on the organizing committee and it is actually going quite smoothly!! We also are part of a table of 16 to take part in the Christmas dinner in the hall. It is also supposed to be quite nice. Most of our table are Canadians but we are allowing few special Americans to be part of the group!!
Other than that, not really too much to report. Maybe more next time!
Not a lot to report this time. I had to buy and change a tire on the unit yesterday. From somewhere I got a cut in the tire that could not be repaired so I had to get a new one and change it myself. I had forgotten how difficult that could be be but it did get done! Now to get started on the cleaning and upkeep on the outside!!
We stopped in at a wine and cheese early this afternoon. That is after going around looking at all the open houses of the units for sale in the resort. 'We' have sort got the idea that it might be a good time to have a more 'permanent' abode down here rather than pulling this unit down year after year and wondering how long it is going to last and whether we will outlast it!!?? We found a few possibilities but ones 'we' really like are out of our price range. We will keep looking though as more come up for sale each week. I also went over and checked out a dealer that buys used RVs so that gave me more to think about. That is what Cliff did a couple of years ago and that worked out quite well for him. Lots of things to think about.
The Bob Rock Memorial Golf Tournament is going to be held in January for the third annual time. We will be going to take part as it is very much fun and for a very good cause - Bob was a long time resident here who died of Lou Gehrig's Disease. He was the son-in-law of Keith Hyland (from Okotoks) who does our Friday golf setup.
Kit has been spending a lot of time getting to know people over at the sewing room and quite enjoying it. She has met a lot more people doing this - something like me and my golf on Fridays!!
Our street Christmas party is next Thursday afternoon so that should be a bit of fun. Kit got 'pulled in' to be on the organizing committee and it is actually going quite smoothly!! We also are part of a table of 16 to take part in the Christmas dinner in the hall. It is also supposed to be quite nice. Most of our table are Canadians but we are allowing few special Americans to be part of the group!!
Other than that, not really too much to report. Maybe more next time!
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Well, here we are on our third week anniversary of arriving, and getting caught up in the frenzy of decorating for Christmas!! It seems that the only thing that is holding us back is the lack of storage of things after the season is over!! There are advantages to being in a fifth wheel!!
Kit has been very busy finding 'things' that we can decorate with! This is a small tree beside our TV that she found at Sunshine Acres and has been looking for a few small decorations for it ever since! We do not have room in here for anything larger!!
The tree that was in that box waiting to be born has now been born!! As there is no room inside, it has been relegated to a spot close to the door on the outside!!
Of course, above the tree is another Dollar Store addition to the display!
And then, of course, because it seems to be the thing to do, the palm tree gets lit up as well - at the trunk does as far as my ladder will reach!
You will also notice our street lamp beside the three that is also decorated - by the park!! There is also a Santa hat on top of the lamp.
And of course, here is another Sunshine Acres special - our Santa flag!!
I am pretty sure that that will be all that we do to our site. Many of the sites are really impressive with the decorations, but most of those are in the permanent sites. Like I said, there is a problem with storage of the stuff after they come down!!! Anyhow, that's the excitement for here for now!!!
Kit has been very busy finding 'things' that we can decorate with! This is a small tree beside our TV that she found at Sunshine Acres and has been looking for a few small decorations for it ever since! We do not have room in here for anything larger!!
The tree that was in that box waiting to be born has now been born!! As there is no room inside, it has been relegated to a spot close to the door on the outside!!
Of course, above the tree is another Dollar Store addition to the display!
And then, of course, because it seems to be the thing to do, the palm tree gets lit up as well - at the trunk does as far as my ladder will reach!
You will also notice our street lamp beside the three that is also decorated - by the park!! There is also a Santa hat on top of the lamp.
And of course, here is another Sunshine Acres special - our Santa flag!!
I am pretty sure that that will be all that we do to our site. Many of the sites are really impressive with the decorations, but most of those are in the permanent sites. Like I said, there is a problem with storage of the stuff after they come down!!! Anyhow, that's the excitement for here for now!!!
Saturday, November 24, 2018
Thanksgiving (American!)
This has been a very interesting week here in the USA with the American Thanksgiving taking place. I honestly feel as if this is a more important holiday here than Christmas! Everything gets shut down on Thursday - except for the large dinners and such. We also celebrated with a turkey dinner with Cliff and Suzanne and Phil and Betty. They had a huge dinner in the hall but we chose not to attend. It was like a pot luck where you belong to a table and bring and cook your own turkey (supplied by CalAm!) along with the rest of the meal which is supplied by the rest of the table!! They do a similar thing at Christmas but with ham. I think that we have 16 Canucks to do that with!!
Kit and Betty went shopping on Thursday night for a few hours and picked up some bargains at the sales - which went all night and all of Friday! Needless to say, the park was pretty quiet for the last two days.
Now, everyone is in a race to get the Christmas decorations up! The is a extent of our decorations right now!!
Soon, there will a small tree being born but I'm not sure where it will live.
There also three boxes of lights in storage soon to be wrapped around our palm tree to try to keep up with the rest of the folks. We got the lights at Costco of course! Speaking of Costco, I have never seen it so busy as it was last week. I guess that it was a product of the season. It will interesting to see if the Christmas season will be as busy.
The weather has been great as usual. Not as hot but sunny every day and temps in the low 70's, as well as no wind!! The empty lot across the street is Lenko's. So sad to see it empty!!
Kit and Betty went shopping on Thursday night for a few hours and picked up some bargains at the sales - which went all night and all of Friday! Needless to say, the park was pretty quiet for the last two days.
Now, everyone is in a race to get the Christmas decorations up! The is a extent of our decorations right now!!
Soon, there will a small tree being born but I'm not sure where it will live.
There also three boxes of lights in storage soon to be wrapped around our palm tree to try to keep up with the rest of the folks. We got the lights at Costco of course! Speaking of Costco, I have never seen it so busy as it was last week. I guess that it was a product of the season. It will interesting to see if the Christmas season will be as busy.
The weather has been great as usual. Not as hot but sunny every day and temps in the low 70's, as well as no wind!! The empty lot across the street is Lenko's. So sad to see it empty!!
Your's truly has been suffering from his annual cold for the past few days and he is not happy. As a matter of fact, I had to cancel out of my golf game on Friday, so I'm just sitting here doing puzzles and watching hockey and football on TV and feeling sorry for myself while the rest of the world moves forward! Anyway, this too will leave and we will drop back into normalcy. Kit is very happy to spend her time in the sewing room.
GO STAMPS GO!!
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Another One?
I know that many of you are very surprised that I am doing a few more of these than you expected, even though I really don't have a lot of news. Anyway, the weather seems to be getting a bit warmer even though it was only plus 9.5 when we got up this morning!! The furnace has been on!! As I write this, it is 21, supposed to be going up to 24 later today! Good news for golf tomorrow.
We had our "Welcome Back" party yesterday and it was, of course, well attended. The big attraction of course, was the 25 cent beer and wine!! I really don't think that it was the sloppy joes, beans and potato salad! There have been better meals!! The company and music was great though, so it wasn't a total waste.
The coffee and donuts was of course a great success this morning as usual! It was very well attended as usual and keeps growing. I hear that after Thanksgiving there will be a big jump in population here! Of course, Thanksgiving down here for many people is more important than Christmas as far as family and celebrations are concerned.
Cliff and I went over to the range at Apache Wells again today to try to improve on last week's golf score. Things seem to be getting better but we will find out tomorrow!!? Till next time....
We had our "Welcome Back" party yesterday and it was, of course, well attended. The big attraction of course, was the 25 cent beer and wine!! I really don't think that it was the sloppy joes, beans and potato salad! There have been better meals!! The company and music was great though, so it wasn't a total waste.
The coffee and donuts was of course a great success this morning as usual! It was very well attended as usual and keeps growing. I hear that after Thanksgiving there will be a big jump in population here! Of course, Thanksgiving down here for many people is more important than Christmas as far as family and celebrations are concerned.
Cliff and I went over to the range at Apache Wells again today to try to improve on last week's golf score. Things seem to be getting better but we will find out tomorrow!!? Till next time....
Monday, November 12, 2018
Settling In ?
I almost hate to write this and talk about the weather to anybody in the north country but it is sunny again today but only with a high of about 68 or 70 degrees ( 14 or 15 to you!) It is quite breezy today and is supposed to be the same tomorrow but settling down again for the end of the week! I guess that this is why we came. The nights are fairly cool however - not like in the spring.
It is taking a while to catch on to being here this time of the year. Kit went over buy some oranges the other day and the place was closed!!?? Then it dawned on her - the oranges are still very green and still on the trees. It will take a while!! There are more people arriving everyday. Most of them are in the parkmodels but quite a few RVs as well. Our neighbors across the street arrived last night and we are still waiting patiently for Lenkos and Robertsons!!
I started on my golfer's tan last Friday and had a great time of course. The score wasn't too spectacular but it was respectable! It was great to see everyone. There will be a few more people this Friday and more as the time goes on. We only had about 24 last week and have 30 or so for this week. We went on our first trip for provisions to Costco today. Big mistake. It is Veterans Day here today (actually yesterday but the holiday is today) and everyone took the opportunity to shop at Costco!! Live and learn. Just like last year when I vowed never to go to Fry's on Seniors day (Wednesday). Guess what day we went last week. You really have to learn when not to go shopping down here!!
Well, Kit is into the sewing thing already and I actually have a puzzle going, so I guess that we are settling in. The next thing is to get started on washing the vehicles. Can you believe it - I haven't even washed the truck yet. Kit doesn't seem too interested, so I guess that I will have to get it done soon! Maybe tomorrow?
It is taking a while to catch on to being here this time of the year. Kit went over buy some oranges the other day and the place was closed!!?? Then it dawned on her - the oranges are still very green and still on the trees. It will take a while!! There are more people arriving everyday. Most of them are in the parkmodels but quite a few RVs as well. Our neighbors across the street arrived last night and we are still waiting patiently for Lenkos and Robertsons!!
I started on my golfer's tan last Friday and had a great time of course. The score wasn't too spectacular but it was respectable! It was great to see everyone. There will be a few more people this Friday and more as the time goes on. We only had about 24 last week and have 30 or so for this week. We went on our first trip for provisions to Costco today. Big mistake. It is Veterans Day here today (actually yesterday but the holiday is today) and everyone took the opportunity to shop at Costco!! Live and learn. Just like last year when I vowed never to go to Fry's on Seniors day (Wednesday). Guess what day we went last week. You really have to learn when not to go shopping down here!!
Well, Kit is into the sewing thing already and I actually have a puzzle going, so I guess that we are settling in. The next thing is to get started on washing the vehicles. Can you believe it - I haven't even washed the truck yet. Kit doesn't seem too interested, so I guess that I will have to get it done soon! Maybe tomorrow?
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Everything seems to be in order!!?
We have been out one week and it seems like a lot longer! Overall, the trip down was very easy. There were bouts of wind but other than that, nothing really got in the way. Without the snow and ice, it was very easy driving. The two days in Vegas were OK but nothing really outstanding. Kit was the lucky one on the one armed bandits and I was the usual loser. I still hate driving in Las Vegas though. You really have to keep your head up all the time. We did some shopping and some gambling and some driving, but nothing really over the top. The drive to Mesa was very uneventful - it took the usual 6 hours from door to door - we arrived here about 2:30 and backed right in!!! The park is very quiet, it is only about half full. Probably more RVs than full timers in their park models. This morning at donuts and coffee, there were more than I thought there would be - at least half the people arrived in the last week. All my golfing buddies are here and we are all going out tomorrow morning for the first session of Friday golf!! There are only about 7 or 8 foursomes however and they have invited the wives as well!! I did go out this afternoon and hit some balls so we will see how bad it is tomorrow!!?
It is really strange to be here at this time of the year when we have been used to being here much later! They are just planting the flowers - of course, when we leave, they are ripping them out for the summer! Sort of reverse to what we are used to at home. We met the new managers this morning - they seem to be real go-getters and very serious about following rules, etc - especially when it comes to control and management of pets. They have put a whole page of things to do and to follow - or else!! We will see.
As you probably know, we have new phone numbers with Roam Mobility. Howard - 1 267 266 5695 and Kit is 1 267 269 3033. I think that these area codes are from Philadelphia so if you try to call us, it is long distance!! We are always available on Facetime as you probably already know!! This should be free as we have our usual great wifi hooked up! I visited Cox Cable right after we got here and got connected right away, as we have our cable already here. There are no hookup charges. Today, I finally got my dish working and so am now hooked to home TV!! I hope that this is a good thing!! Phil and I got my bathroom leak fixed. All it needed was a new faucet for the shower!! Now all my faucets have been replaced!! Phil also fixed up Kit's bike so if she ever gets brave enough to ride it, I will try to get a picture !!
That's about it for now. I don't think that I will doing a lot of these consistently as there really is not a lot to talk about but I will try to keep everyone who is interested, up to date. We are usually available on Facetime or Skype.
Ending with a big shoutout to Jim Gray. Way to go and keep up the good work.
It is really strange to be here at this time of the year when we have been used to being here much later! They are just planting the flowers - of course, when we leave, they are ripping them out for the summer! Sort of reverse to what we are used to at home. We met the new managers this morning - they seem to be real go-getters and very serious about following rules, etc - especially when it comes to control and management of pets. They have put a whole page of things to do and to follow - or else!! We will see.
As you probably know, we have new phone numbers with Roam Mobility. Howard - 1 267 266 5695 and Kit is 1 267 269 3033. I think that these area codes are from Philadelphia so if you try to call us, it is long distance!! We are always available on Facetime as you probably already know!! This should be free as we have our usual great wifi hooked up! I visited Cox Cable right after we got here and got connected right away, as we have our cable already here. There are no hookup charges. Today, I finally got my dish working and so am now hooked to home TV!! I hope that this is a good thing!! Phil and I got my bathroom leak fixed. All it needed was a new faucet for the shower!! Now all my faucets have been replaced!! Phil also fixed up Kit's bike so if she ever gets brave enough to ride it, I will try to get a picture !!
That's about it for now. I don't think that I will doing a lot of these consistently as there really is not a lot to talk about but I will try to keep everyone who is interested, up to date. We are usually available on Facetime or Skype.
Ending with a big shoutout to Jim Gray. Way to go and keep up the good work.
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Arrival in Vegas
Finally! We are here safe and sound after three very interesting days on the road. Today was very easy in that I was able to travel quickly ( around 110) most of the way and had my best mileage (12 mpg) of the trip. You have to realize though that it is mostly downhill from Nephi where we stayed last night. It was quite a relaxing trip until we got to Vegas - I still think that it is one of the scariest places to drive!! Everything seems to be working in the trailer - so far - no surprises yet. We went out for supper with Phil and Betty tonight to Sweet Tomatoes and then over to Total Wines to get the same special on Bacardi that I got last year - $10 off if you buy two!! I bought two for me and two for Kit!! At 12.95 each, its just like winning the lottery! This is just until November 12 though. Kit will have to stock up!
About our new phone service. As I understand it we have unlimited phone and text to anywhere in Canada and the USA. As we have a new area code - different from 403 - it probably is long distance for you to call us. I really have no idea about face time except that I know that we can do it when we have wifi!!?? Anyway, I am sure that we will figure it out eventually
Not really anything else right now and probably nothing in the next few days. We will be in Mesa on Tuesday afternoon. Probably no news until then unless Kit goes crazy on the machines!!
Thanks for being interested in all our shortcomings!
About our new phone service. As I understand it we have unlimited phone and text to anywhere in Canada and the USA. As we have a new area code - different from 403 - it probably is long distance for you to call us. I really have no idea about face time except that I know that we can do it when we have wifi!!?? Anyway, I am sure that we will figure it out eventually
Not really anything else right now and probably nothing in the next few days. We will be in Mesa on Tuesday afternoon. Probably no news until then unless Kit goes crazy on the machines!!
Thanks for being interested in all our shortcomings!
Friday, November 2, 2018
Day 2
It was a longer day today - like about 10 and a half hours which really was not in the plan. Neither was the at least 2 hour trip through Salt city and area. It was painful to say the least. Other than that the wind was a killer for gas mileage. Strong winds on the south side of the pass to south of Idaho Falls and then more wind into Utah. Anyway, here we are in Nephi for the second night and tomorrow on to Vegas for a bit of a rest?? It will be a much shorter day!! Plus 16 today!!
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Day 1 of the ADVENTURE!
Not too much to tell you except that I don't know why we didn't do this a lot earlier!! The driving was great - we got here (Helena) earlier than ever before, had better gas mileage and no snow and ice. It is quite cloudy here now so I hope that is not a sign of things to come. We only have a couple of hours tomorrow morning until (I hope) we are out of immediate danger of bad weather?? We re going to try to hook up our roam mobility now so hopefully we will have telephone connections.
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