Temp 8 C and windy. We went to the town of Mercedes ( 5 miles away ) to get another house key cut as I like to leave one outside, just in case I lock myself out. They have a very good True hardware store and I'm sure the Key Cutter must be better light then the 3 stooges at Lowes.
All the small towns in this area of Texas have their own Police force but why they have to sit and hide at the stop , waiting for me to break the law is beyond me. The hardware store is on a corner and I pulled into the left ( turning only ) lane with intention of turning. But when the light turned Red I noticed that there was nobody in the oncoming turning lane so I went straight ahead before illegally making a left turn . Just as I pulled ahead Carroll said there is policeman sitting on the corner so you are in trouble. I blamed Carroll because she should have warned me that the police was sitting there.
Anyhow , I quickly parked the car and jumped out as if nothing happen , however the cop car pulled up and block my path. As soon as the cop got out of his car I play stupid ( which comes natural to me ) and I said, what happen, was I speeding. You don't what you did wrong and of course I said no. He say , take a look at that intersection; you where in a turning lane but you drove thru which could have caused an accident. I agree that I should have paid more attention. He says I'm not going to ticket you but I want you pay more attention and he continued to lecture me. He then shook my hand and said to more attentive and I promised I would. Kissing Ass when I'm in trouble with the Police is my strong suite.
After I got the Key cut I was very careful entering the street and stopping at the light. As I was getting up speed Carroll ask if I was looking to get a ticket. I said what do you mean by that and she says you are doing 40 MPH in a 30 zone. I quickly hit the brakes. Incidentally I got home safely.
Carroll decided that we were ready for a visit to Willie B's for a loaded potato for supper. I did not thing you could grow potatoes as big as the ones at Willie. Anyhow Carroll foolishly ordered one each but we then realize we could not possibly eat one each so we shared one and took the other one home for tomorrow's supper. cheers
Wednesday, 18 January 2017
Tuesday, 17 January 2017
Sunday Activities.. 8 Jan 17
The past week was fairly busy just getting organized but I think we have solved most, if not all problems needed to settle in. It is like the old saying " Come day, Go day ; God send Sunday ".
On Sunday , our friends the Naha's go for breakfast after church to the same restaurant they have been going to for years. Creatures of habit; besides the breakfast is great and the prices are better. We always meet them their and most of time we plan a few function for the upcoming week. This week we are going to MX on Thursday and to the Legion on Friday evening for a Fish Fry which also is accompanied with Karaoke music which is way to loud. In two weeks we are planning to go to a Medical Trade show.
After breakfast I decided to find a car wash ( for the 5 th time ) as I have not washed the car since we arrived and it is filthy. The self wash places can not give change as their machines never work and I never seem to have any quarters. The Hand Wash places are always lined up and I do not "line up " well. Yes they wash cars on Sunday. So since we were out and about we decided to search out a couple of well known "Haunts " that we might try for lunch some day. One place is a hamburger joint that serves one pound hamburgers, hence we have to share. The other place is called Willie B's ( actually Wille's Bar-B-Q ) but the winter Texans refer to it as Willie B's. This place has "zero " ambience but it is magnet for winter Texans. The specialty is a "loaded" potato and it is impossible for one person to eat the whole ting. We have to share as does most Seniors.
As we drove around we actually did remember where it was so we put in on our agenda for next week.
That's how you spend a Sunday. cheers
On Sunday , our friends the Naha's go for breakfast after church to the same restaurant they have been going to for years. Creatures of habit; besides the breakfast is great and the prices are better. We always meet them their and most of time we plan a few function for the upcoming week. This week we are going to MX on Thursday and to the Legion on Friday evening for a Fish Fry which also is accompanied with Karaoke music which is way to loud. In two weeks we are planning to go to a Medical Trade show.
After breakfast I decided to find a car wash ( for the 5 th time ) as I have not washed the car since we arrived and it is filthy. The self wash places can not give change as their machines never work and I never seem to have any quarters. The Hand Wash places are always lined up and I do not "line up " well. Yes they wash cars on Sunday. So since we were out and about we decided to search out a couple of well known "Haunts " that we might try for lunch some day. One place is a hamburger joint that serves one pound hamburgers, hence we have to share. The other place is called Willie B's ( actually Wille's Bar-B-Q ) but the winter Texans refer to it as Willie B's. This place has "zero " ambience but it is magnet for winter Texans. The specialty is a "loaded" potato and it is impossible for one person to eat the whole ting. We have to share as does most Seniors.
As we drove around we actually did remember where it was so we put in on our agenda for next week.
That's how you spend a Sunday. cheers
WiFi /Phone Day 7 Jan 17
Today is the Day that we finally get our WiFi and our scheduled appointment is between 8 and Noon. Then on Saturday morning TimeWarner phoned from their office in San Antonia, at 7:20 AM to make sure I would be home at 8 AM when the Tech arrived. At 7:40 AM the local office called to say the Tech was on his way and he should arrive in 10 minutes. At 8 AM the Tech called to say he would arrive in 10 minute. It is obvious that this company has no idea what the hell is going on between their office and the tech.
All that to say, the Tech arrived on time and was very efficient. However, it was quite easy for him as the house already has more cable throughout then the local telephone office. I showed the Tech to my office where there are several cables and he says , that one looks like our. He did a test on the cable and says , ' that's the baby I need ". He connect the cable to the Router ( they call it a Modem ) that he brought with him and then connect the phone and I was on line. We made sure all 3 computers where on line before he left. He checked the phones and said that our batteries where dead but the phone was connected. Since he is a contract worker he gets paid for an hour but was out the door in 15 minutes.
The batteries in the phones were dead since they have not been in use for 2 or 3 years and they would not take a charge so we bought a 2 phone package at Wal-Mart for 33.00.
In the afternoon we when to another park to visit friends from Dauphin, MB ( Bya and Roy ). I still have a "nagging cough " and Bya considers herself a "self taught" doctor thru Google. Anyhow she insisted that I try some pills that she uses and they can only be purchased in MX. The drill is to take 3 pills right away , 2 pills tomorrow and one the next day. Since I have tried everything else I figured these pills are worth a try. Before I took the pills I checked the side effects with Doctor Goggle and they were minimal . What I did find our was that these pills are a cure for everything from the common cold to Acid Reflux to Cholesterol so I did not thing they would harm me.
My coughing did slow down somewhat but I'm not sure if it was the Pills ( Zertalin ) or the Maple Rye that I am consuming . Dr Goggle did say to consume lots of liquids.
Now we have to go to MX to replace the Pills. We plan to go MX with our friends next week. cheers
All that to say, the Tech arrived on time and was very efficient. However, it was quite easy for him as the house already has more cable throughout then the local telephone office. I showed the Tech to my office where there are several cables and he says , that one looks like our. He did a test on the cable and says , ' that's the baby I need ". He connect the cable to the Router ( they call it a Modem ) that he brought with him and then connect the phone and I was on line. We made sure all 3 computers where on line before he left. He checked the phones and said that our batteries where dead but the phone was connected. Since he is a contract worker he gets paid for an hour but was out the door in 15 minutes.
The batteries in the phones were dead since they have not been in use for 2 or 3 years and they would not take a charge so we bought a 2 phone package at Wal-Mart for 33.00.
In the afternoon we when to another park to visit friends from Dauphin, MB ( Bya and Roy ). I still have a "nagging cough " and Bya considers herself a "self taught" doctor thru Google. Anyhow she insisted that I try some pills that she uses and they can only be purchased in MX. The drill is to take 3 pills right away , 2 pills tomorrow and one the next day. Since I have tried everything else I figured these pills are worth a try. Before I took the pills I checked the side effects with Doctor Goggle and they were minimal . What I did find our was that these pills are a cure for everything from the common cold to Acid Reflux to Cholesterol so I did not thing they would harm me.
My coughing did slow down somewhat but I'm not sure if it was the Pills ( Zertalin ) or the Maple Rye that I am consuming . Dr Goggle did say to consume lots of liquids.
Now we have to go to MX to replace the Pills. We plan to go MX with our friends next week. cheers
Monday, 16 January 2017
Carroll's Birthday 6 Jan 17
Temperature 4 C at 7 AM. In Texas that is called a cold front and since the wind was coming from the north at 40 MPH everyone is wearing coats. Some folks are overdoing it by wearing a Parkas but gloves and toques where the order of the day.
We went out for Carroll's Birthday supper with our friends ( Nahacheski's ) form Brandon. We did Italian food at a well known family run restaurant near our park. While we were in the restaurant we also met friends from ON so they are now on our list to visit once we get organized.
The cold front is suppose to "bugger " off tomorrow so we will see. Cheers
We went out for Carroll's Birthday supper with our friends ( Nahacheski's ) form Brandon. We did Italian food at a well known family run restaurant near our park. While we were in the restaurant we also met friends from ON so they are now on our list to visit once we get organized.
The cold front is suppose to "bugger " off tomorrow so we will see. Cheers
Sunday, 15 January 2017
Price of Booze: Texas or MX 5 jan 17
I was visiting with a friend who has been coming here for 20 years. I mentioned that I had to pick up a bottle of Crown Royal and he says that the price in MX are not much different then buying it in Tx. He suggested I go to Feldman's which is a Discount Liquor franchise across the USA and check the prices.
The reason that the price of booze in MX is similar to the prices in TX is twofold. First the duty free store in MX has closed so you have to buy it at the duty free in the US before you cross into MX. Then ,if you don't want to carry it while you shop in MX you can have a shop hold it until you are ready to leave MX for 2.00. Then when you cross into the US you have to pay a 3.75 tax per bottle, hence every bottle purchased in MX increases by 5.74.
So I went to Feldman's to check prices and I picked up a 1.75 L bottle of Maple Rye for 50.00. Tax included, so that is about 75 CDN. I thought the price was reasonable until I return a few days later to find out it was on sale for 41.00. I'll check the price when I go to MX next week. Cheers
The reason that the price of booze in MX is similar to the prices in TX is twofold. First the duty free store in MX has closed so you have to buy it at the duty free in the US before you cross into MX. Then ,if you don't want to carry it while you shop in MX you can have a shop hold it until you are ready to leave MX for 2.00. Then when you cross into the US you have to pay a 3.75 tax per bottle, hence every bottle purchased in MX increases by 5.74.
So I went to Feldman's to check prices and I picked up a 1.75 L bottle of Maple Rye for 50.00. Tax included, so that is about 75 CDN. I thought the price was reasonable until I return a few days later to find out it was on sale for 41.00. I'll check the price when I go to MX next week. Cheers
Getting Aquated with the house; 4 Jan 17
I''ll say one thing for this house; it has everything. It has a nice deck and 3 additions; a 10 X 8 office /bedroom, a 10 X 8 dinning area and a 8 X 8 walk in closet / storage area. It also has an exterior 6 X 6 storage shed area. So we have no complaints about room. The house is wired for phones, ample cable for the TV and WiFi. It should be easy for the TimeWarner Tech when he gets here.
I had to get a key cut for the house so I picked up the Office held key and headed for Lowes. I found the Key counter an showed the clerk ( I believe are called associates ) my key. He looked at it and said, I don't think we stock that type. I said , Christ it a house key, not one for Fort Knox. So he called for help and the next guy said, I don't thing we stock that one and walked away. I said come on , this is Lowes is it, so he called for more support. The third guys picks out a key blank and says try that one. I'm beginning to think I'm dealing with the 3 Stooges. He cuts the key and then says, if it doesn't work bring it back and I'm thinking ,what the hell for, so you cut a second one that doesn't work.
When I got home , sure enough the key did not work so I went back and got my 2.15 back. Then I went to a hardware store and got a key cut that worked. What a way to waste 2 hours.
My Satellite dish is set up on a tripod and the wind was blowing from the north at about 40 MPH and I could see that my Satellite was about to take flight so I had to get some cement blocks to anchor it. For some reason everyone has several cement block around their house so I borrowed one from the neighbor. I will try to remember to return it when I leave??? I may have to relocated the Satellite if the wind does not die down. In TX you never know about the wind.
We spent the rest of the day moving things around in the cupboard where they suited Carroll. Although there was very little dust Carroll washed most of the dishes and glasses. Oh, did I mention that we also have a dish washer, other than me. Cheers
I had to get a key cut for the house so I picked up the Office held key and headed for Lowes. I found the Key counter an showed the clerk ( I believe are called associates ) my key. He looked at it and said, I don't think we stock that type. I said , Christ it a house key, not one for Fort Knox. So he called for help and the next guy said, I don't thing we stock that one and walked away. I said come on , this is Lowes is it, so he called for more support. The third guys picks out a key blank and says try that one. I'm beginning to think I'm dealing with the 3 Stooges. He cuts the key and then says, if it doesn't work bring it back and I'm thinking ,what the hell for, so you cut a second one that doesn't work.
When I got home , sure enough the key did not work so I went back and got my 2.15 back. Then I went to a hardware store and got a key cut that worked. What a way to waste 2 hours.
My Satellite dish is set up on a tripod and the wind was blowing from the north at about 40 MPH and I could see that my Satellite was about to take flight so I had to get some cement blocks to anchor it. For some reason everyone has several cement block around their house so I borrowed one from the neighbor. I will try to remember to return it when I leave??? I may have to relocated the Satellite if the wind does not die down. In TX you never know about the wind.
We spent the rest of the day moving things around in the cupboard where they suited Carroll. Although there was very little dust Carroll washed most of the dishes and glasses. Oh, did I mention that we also have a dish washer, other than me. Cheers
Saturday, 14 January 2017
Our Home for 3 months; 3 Jan 17
We know that the office at Pine to Palms ( P to P ), our home until 31 March, does not open until 9 AM and since our Motel is only 2 block away there was no hurry to get the day started. The Motel provided a hot breakfast so we meandered to the restaurant and had a casual breakfast.
We arrived at the P to P office shortly after 9 AM and as expected we were not first in line. Needless to say , we were not the only people arriving today, While waiting in line we swapped salutations with the others and since most occupants own there home, some where sure that we were new occupants. Once you say you are new, they want to know your address and if they don,'t already know the owner , they ask who owns the home. Of course, I'm thinking "give me the GD key " we can swap stories later.
Once I signed for the keys we had to listen to the clerk give us a disorientation about the rules, the garbage and recycle pickup and things that go on in the park. She gave us 4 pages on park activities so I was thinking that I could read it later but I though I better not get "snarky " on my first day. She ask if I had any questions and I said yes: have you got the number for Time Warner so I can get my Wifi connected. This costed me another 10 minutes of my life. First she explained that I could use the computer provide in the Rec Hall and I replied that I need my own connection in my home. Then she explained that I could, for a small price , get connect to the WiFi in the park but it was only good to sent and receive emails, no skype, no downloading and no movie downloads. I said no that,s not for me , I just need the number for TWC. She said I don,t have it. Then another lady in the office recognized us from other years spoke up and said I'll get it for you. As it turns out that Tech no longer works for TWC but at least she was trying to help me.
Finally we got to our house, which is a "stone throw " from the office, pool,Rec Hall and 100 shuffle courts. Our house is a 1960 vintage and is dated ( really dated ) but was clean, lots of room, good size bathroom, which doubles as the laundry room and a walk-in closet which also doubles as a storage area and the bedroom has 3 dressers, one of which found a new home in the storage area. What the bedroom doesn't have is Queen Bed. Nope: it has a Double bed and Carroll has agreed to let me have most of my side. ha ha. We also have a large TV
Anyway , we are happy with the place and we know at least a 1/2 dozen couples in the Park so we feel comfortable. We also know a dozen or more folks in other parks in the area.
I called TWC and was on hold for 1/2 hour but finally got through but could not get an appointment to connect our WiFi until Saturday AM.
After getting settled and checking the cupboards, which of course were bare, we had to shop for the necessities of life so we headed for the "Dollar Store " , where else. We needed Ziplock bags, batteries, toilet paper ,Aluminum foil and you can guess what else and the total was 93.00. How do you spend 93.00 at a Dollar Store.... you send Carroll to do the shopping. In the afternoon went to Wal-Mart for groceries which cost another 100.00.
In the afternoon we tried to setup the Satellite but could not get the TV and the Satellite to work together. In order to have a TV ,I connected the Satellite to a small TV that we brought with us for me to watch in the office. I then ask the neighbor if he had any idea why I could get the TV to accept my Satellite, with no luck. Oh, well I'll just keep working on it.
I checked around the house to try to find the door keys. There was a handful of keys but they did belong to this house. So I had to return the office key today, so I said I would sign it out tomorrow and get some keys cut. That is it for today. Cheers
We arrived at the P to P office shortly after 9 AM and as expected we were not first in line. Needless to say , we were not the only people arriving today, While waiting in line we swapped salutations with the others and since most occupants own there home, some where sure that we were new occupants. Once you say you are new, they want to know your address and if they don,'t already know the owner , they ask who owns the home. Of course, I'm thinking "give me the GD key " we can swap stories later.
Once I signed for the keys we had to listen to the clerk give us a disorientation about the rules, the garbage and recycle pickup and things that go on in the park. She gave us 4 pages on park activities so I was thinking that I could read it later but I though I better not get "snarky " on my first day. She ask if I had any questions and I said yes: have you got the number for Time Warner so I can get my Wifi connected. This costed me another 10 minutes of my life. First she explained that I could use the computer provide in the Rec Hall and I replied that I need my own connection in my home. Then she explained that I could, for a small price , get connect to the WiFi in the park but it was only good to sent and receive emails, no skype, no downloading and no movie downloads. I said no that,s not for me , I just need the number for TWC. She said I don,t have it. Then another lady in the office recognized us from other years spoke up and said I'll get it for you. As it turns out that Tech no longer works for TWC but at least she was trying to help me.
Finally we got to our house, which is a "stone throw " from the office, pool,Rec Hall and 100 shuffle courts. Our house is a 1960 vintage and is dated ( really dated ) but was clean, lots of room, good size bathroom, which doubles as the laundry room and a walk-in closet which also doubles as a storage area and the bedroom has 3 dressers, one of which found a new home in the storage area. What the bedroom doesn't have is Queen Bed. Nope: it has a Double bed and Carroll has agreed to let me have most of my side. ha ha. We also have a large TV
Anyway , we are happy with the place and we know at least a 1/2 dozen couples in the Park so we feel comfortable. We also know a dozen or more folks in other parks in the area.
I called TWC and was on hold for 1/2 hour but finally got through but could not get an appointment to connect our WiFi until Saturday AM.
After getting settled and checking the cupboards, which of course were bare, we had to shop for the necessities of life so we headed for the "Dollar Store " , where else. We needed Ziplock bags, batteries, toilet paper ,Aluminum foil and you can guess what else and the total was 93.00. How do you spend 93.00 at a Dollar Store.... you send Carroll to do the shopping. In the afternoon went to Wal-Mart for groceries which cost another 100.00.
In the afternoon we tried to setup the Satellite but could not get the TV and the Satellite to work together. In order to have a TV ,I connected the Satellite to a small TV that we brought with us for me to watch in the office. I then ask the neighbor if he had any idea why I could get the TV to accept my Satellite, with no luck. Oh, well I'll just keep working on it.
I checked around the house to try to find the door keys. There was a handful of keys but they did belong to this house. So I had to return the office key today, so I said I would sign it out tomorrow and get some keys cut. That is it for today. Cheers
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