It's been a long time . . .

I last posted after we arrived back in Wisconsin last May! Now it's December and we're back in Texas for the winter! Where did the months go? Chuck and I both drove airport shuttle this summer for Chippewa Valley Airport Service - as I always say, "it's my fun, summer, part-time job." Chuck did a few projects for friends, family, & some of his old customers. We enjoyed a visit from brother Jon - he and Chuck got in a little fishing, played in the dirt down at our land by Neillsville, and made our annual cheese run. We enjoyed a visit Up North to see friends George & Georgia while their daughter Brenda and her twin were visiting from California. It's always fun to see how the kids have grown over the past year. We made a second brief trip up there to take in a concert by our favorite Native American band, Brule.

We also attended a concert of the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra with guest artist Geoff Keezer (jazz piano). Geoff's proud father is my cousin (Ron and Mary Keezer) and we always try to catch his concert when he's in the area. Just learned that his latest album has been nominated for a Grammy. Wow, I know (and am related to) a Grammy nominee!! We also made a trip to the Minnesota State Fair and had the opportunity to see and hear the daughter of another cousin - Allison Hall (daughter of Tom and Sue Hall) is a founding member of and plays trumpet with the "Copper Street Brass Quintet." They were one of the featured groups on the stage at the Minnesota Public Radio building - promoting their new demo album. So many talented young people for relatives!!

My annual trip with friends Loris and Georgia took us to Chicago where we took in a taping of the Oprah Show (Loris won the lottery!), enjoyed the first half of the Broadway play "Jersey Boys," survived a bomb scare which emptied the theatre and our hotel (both in the same building!), enjoyed an architectural history boat trip on the Chicago River, visited the Shedd Aquarium and the Field (natural history) Museum. The bomb scare moved us to the Chicago Hilton for the rest of our stay including the first night in a two-bedroom, FOUR-bath suite on the 22nd floor overlooking Lake Michigan!! Sweet Home Chicago!

We finally got our butts in gear and got moving on our forty acres near Neilsville. We got our driveway put in (all 1200 feet of it . . . NO, it's not blacktop!), got electricity run back to our building site, and got a garage/pole building built. Decided to bite the bullet and just do it! The building center in Neillsville has our plans and will turn them into blueprints and we will get a bid from the builder who did the garage. If all goes well, it's full steam ahead next spring. Our house in EC will go on the market as soon as we get home from Texas. Exciting, but a little scary. Mostly exciting!

Now we're back at Woody Acres in Fulton TX. Cribbage, bridge, Texas Hold'em, bingo, needlework, fishing for Chuck (when it quits raining!), wine parties, etc. It's a tough life, but someone has to do it. Plans include a trip to San Antonio to enjoy the Christmas lights on the Riverwalk with friends Becky and Roger. Merry Christmas to all our friends and families.

We arrived back in Wisconsin just in time for the spring turkey season. Chuck went out on the opening day of his week before the sun was up and was home by about 10AM with a 24 lb bird. I haven't figured out if he's that good or if he is just very lucky. The average percentage kill is around 25% - he's right about 80% so I guess he know's what he's doing!!

We are both back at work driving airport shuttle for Chippewa Valley Airport Service. We drive from the Ramada Inn in Eau Claire to the Minneapolis Airport.

The weather hasn't been too bad - a little on the cool side for my taste but I'm still in sandals so it's not too bad! The rhubarb is growing by leaps and bounds and is ready to start picking, the crabapple trees are in bloom, and the dandalions are blooming (those little devils bloom when nothing else does!). The moving van is coming tomorrow to pack up our neighbors (across the street). They have retired and are moving to Racine to be closer to most of their family. We hate to see them leave but are happy for them that they were able to sell their home and can live where they choose. I think we will be contacting realtors next week and possible listing our house - if we can get our price it will give us the push we need to get off the dime and start building on our land near Neillsville. Neither of us really like living in town but we, too, will miss our neighbors and I, especially, will miss living close to my friends in Eau Claire. Hopefully they will come to visit and will let me come back to EC to visit them!

Texas Update

It has been too long since I have updated my blog. Don't quite know where the time goes . . . just too busy playing cards, reading, relaxing, etc. I guess!

Sort of house bound today as it is finally raining here in Texas. It is so desperately dry here that it is a very welcome occurrence. Other than a few (truly a very few) sprinkles, it has not rained since we got here in November and it was already very dry when we arrived. More rain is predicted tomorrow - all is welcome. It will not solve the drought but every quarter of an inch helps. It is also COLD - yes, cold. It is actually 48 degrees here right now - the very same temp as in Eau Claire!! Of course it will be back in the high 70s by Monday. We were in the Valley (Rio Grand Valley - Weslaco, Donna, Harlingen, Brownsville, etc.) on Tuesday and Wednesday and it was in the 90s then.

When we arrived back from Florida in January, we drove down to Nuevo Progresso MX since we were already down in McAllen. Picked up a couple of things (like Bailey's Irish Cream) and headed out. You are allowed two bottles each without paying federal tax and prices are really good. This time we went down with Roger and Becky & Bryan and Kathy. We stayed overnight and did Mexico on Tuesday and the Donna flea market and fruit market on Wednesday. Motel had a pool and that was enjoyed by all after a hot day in Mexico.

Since I last updated my blog, we've been to the 2009 Clay Expo and Bountiful Bowl Pottery Show. This brings potters from all over Texas to Rockport. In addition to the show and sale, they do a silent auction of pottery items to support the Aransas Co. food pantry and meals on wheels programs. Chuck and I & Kathy and Bryan went up to Lamar to their LaMardigras. We played in their "casino" for fun and tickets to use to enter raffles. Chuck won a 1/2 day whooping crane boat trip which we plan to take next Tuesday. Kathy won this last year so it will be the same group of six - Chuck & I, Becky & Roger, and Kathy & Bryan. Supposed to be a nice day so should be fun. We went with several couples from the park on a bus trip to the San Antonio Rodeo and Stock Show. After the evening rodeo session which included bull riding, roping, the kids' mutton busting, barrel racing, etc., the entertainment was Billy Ray Cyrus. He put on a good show. Becky, Betty, and I went to Robstown to the Gem and Mineral Show and Becky, Kathy and I went to Robstown to the Peddler Gift Show. Last weekend was Oysterfest here in Fulton. We worked with Becky and Roger on Thursday evening in the t-shirt booth - they solicit volunteers to help sell t-shirts, beer, pop, and oysters. The whole thing is put on by the volunteer fire department and money made supports their needs for equipment, etc. We went back on Friday night to hear a local band called Riptide. They play mostly 50s and 60s music - the good stuff!! Every other Saturday they hold Belt Sander Races at the a local bar called the Pickeled Pelican. Roger raced one for the first time last Saturday . . . has a little work to do on it but hey, gotta start somewhere (see pictures above).

Chuck has had his boat out a couple of times - I threatened that he couldn't bring it next year unless it got wet this year. He's also been out with his metal detector a couple of times . . . no big finds, just a few pennies and quarters, a cheap ring, washers, etc. I keep busy playing cribbage, bunco, bingo, bridge, euchre, and spades. We both play Texas Hold'em on Saturday night here in the park and occasionally on Tuesday nights at a local bar called the Sugar Shack. On Sunday nights we play Pegs and Jockers with a group of friends. Two weeks ago I won the first blackout game of bingo at the Texas GI Forum for a nice size pot.

Our plan is to leave Fulton on Thursday, March 26. We will head up to the Roundtop area and have a reservation at the Dixieland RV Park in Carmine. On the 30th we will help George and Mary set up their booth at the Carmine Dance Hall. This will be their last show as the spirit is willing but the body is telling them to hang it up. We enjoy helping them . . . for those of you who don't know, George and Dad were Marine Corps buddies. We will help them tear down and then the next day head out for Branson. Will be there at least two weeks . . . will see what the weather is doing back in Eau Claire.

Greetings from Sunny Florida!

On January 8th we hit the road very early for McAllen TX. We made good time, had good directions to the airport, and arrived with time to spare. Our flight was a little late departing but we made up some time in flight. It was a smooth flight and Jon and Phyllis were waiting for us when we arrived at the Sanford-Orlando Airport. We jumped in the rental car and made our way to the condo on International Way. Even though I had printed out a mapquest, we evidently came out of the airport on a different road (even though there seemed to be only one road out) and we had a few false starts, u-turns, etc. before we got our bearings and got headed in the right direction.

We got checked in to the Hilton Grand Vacations condo with no problems. The resort is very nice - it is in a Tuscan theme. The main pool area is spectacular and there is a second pool area at the far end - slightly smaller and less spectacular but perfectly nice. There are six buildings spaced around a lake with a bridge across in the middle. We are in building 3 Villa Franconi. The condos are very nice - king beds with down comforters, screened balconies/patios (we have a patio since we are on the first floor), granite countertops, jacuzzi tub, etc. We had dinner on Thursday at a seafood restaurant.

We've done some sightseeing but mainly have been relaxing, enjoying the condo and our time together. We have gone to a couple of the flea markets in the area, the outlet mall adjacent to the condo. Last night Jon, Chuck and I played Texas Hold'em here at the resort (the activities department has different things going every day). There was no cost and the prizes were: 3rd place, $10 Hilton money to be spent in bar/snack bar/marketplace on the property; 2nd place, $20 Hilton money, and 1st place, $50 Hilton money. There were 7 players and I was the only woman. Jon took 2nd and I took 1st!!!! Chuck took a couple of bad beats and had to sit and watch us finish. This afternoon the four of us played bingo by the pool (activities department again). They played five games - Jon won one, I won one, and Phyllis won two!! Prizes included t-shirts, mugs, wine, sunglass cases, Hilton money. Phyllis won a bottle of wine, $10 in Hilton money, a mug, sunglass case, two ice cream sundaes. Jon a bottle of wine, $5 in Hilton money, and a t-shirt. I won a t-shirt, $5 in Hilton money, and a sunglass case. Poor Chuck was skunked again.

We have plans to go to Tampa to an RV show on Friday, go up to Leesburg to visit neighbors of Jon and Phyllis on Sunday, and to Epcot on Monday. They are having some cool weather this week - but of course that is cool by their point of view . . . . not by the standards of our family and friends up north. Sixty some degreees is cool for Florida but if the sun is out it's darn nice. Jon and Phyllis are enjoying their respite from Ohio weather. They have been buried in snow and experiencing bitter cold . . . based on reports from Phyllis' daughter, sister, and mother. Hope they can find their car when they get back to Ohio on the 22nd!

Ho Ho Ho and Happy New Year to y'all

Well, we hope you had a very Merry Christmas and that everyone is looking forward with great hope and enthusiasm to 2009 - despite the rather bleak economic outlook. Keep in mind, it's just money - unless you don't have any!!

We had a nice Christmas season here at Woody Acres.

My friend Kathy and I ran the gift exchange here at the park. Those participating bring a wrapped gift in the $5-10 range. Each person got a number when they arrived. The gifts went on tables in the center of a large circle of chairs. This year we had 67 participants - up from about 40 last year. We ran it last year and everyone had so much fun that the word spread this year. Then we drew number to determine who selected a gift first. They opened their gift and displayed it to everyone and had to keep it in sight in front of them. The second person did the same and so on. At any point a person could choose to "steal" a gift that is open rather than to take one off the table. A gift could only be stolen twice - the first time it got a green DOT - green for GO. The second time it got a red DOT - red for STOP. At that point it belonged to the person who had it and was no longer in play. When a person's gift was stolen, they then got to either take another gift off the table and open it or they could steal a different gift. Lots of wine, candies, nuts, salami and cheese were popular gifts and made their way around the circle until they got their red stickers. There were lots of laughs, lots of good-natured whining and teasing, and all-in-all everyone had a fun time. Let's face it, a $5-10 gift is just for fun since none of us in RV's have room for or NEED anything!

We were invited to Becky and Roger's for spaghetti on Christmas Eve. After we played a few games of pegs and jokers, we headed out to Keith and Cheryl's (Minnesotans) for their Christmas Eve open house. They used to be in the park but a few years ago bought land and built a home here in Fulton. They open their home to friends from the park as well as other friends from their church etc. - there are usually at least 40-50 people - on Christmas Eve for Tom & Jerrys. Everyone brings some goodies to share - lefsa, cheese and crackers, cookies, other snackies, etc.

We had Christmas dinner at the clubhouse. We pay $4 each and the park provides roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, as well as coffee and iced tea. Everyone brings a dish - vegetables, salads, desserts, deviled eggs, relish trays, etc. etc. Certainly no one went away hungry. Then, at 5:30 we all went back and had an instant replay of leftovers. There were bread and rolls for those who just wanted a turkey sandwich but there were still salads, potatoes, stuffing, and gravy, vegetables, etc. Good food and lots of fellowship. When we walked home after lunch, we were pleasantly surprised to find a rosy spoonbill in the pond by our "house." A spoonbill is a pretty pink bird that is in the area but not too common so it's fun to see one up close - see picture above.

Friday morning at 5:30 a.m. four of us gals (Becky, Cheryl, Kathy, and I) headed to Corpus Christi for the after Christmas sales. Macy's opened at 6am so we headed there first. Cheryl decorates her main tree with crystal ornaments (Waterford, Sarovsky, etc.) so she was on a mission. We also hit JC Penney, Dillards, Stein Mart, Tuesday Morning, and had lunch at Macaroni Grill. Back in Fulton, we made a stop at a wonderful store called "Shop the World." Each of us found a few things but Cheryl came home with the mother lode - she will have lots of new Christmas decorations for next year - haven't heard what Keith had to say about her purchases . . . .

Saturday was, as usual, pizza with the group and then poker in the evening. It was a good night for both of us. I held pocket aces on the final hand and they held up so I padded my lead and ended up first. Chuck cashed in at third so it was a good night for both of us. It's always fun to play but it's more fun to win!

Finally getting this posted! Been too busy having a good time to sit down at the computer and finish what I started a week ago!!! We're leaving tomorrow morning for two weeks in Orlando FL = meeting Chuck's brother Jon and his wife Phyllis. Taking the computer along so will be "connected" while there.

Keep warm - more later . . .

I could start by whining about the weather here - we have had a couple of cold and windy days - but since I have already had a phone call and an e-mail complaining about the weather in Wisconsin, that probably wouldn't be well received! People in Wisconsin would be out in t-shirts if the weather got back up in the 40s!! Anyway it's 60 here now and supposed to be in the 70s the next few days and back up to 80 by Monday.



Not much new here at Woody Acres - cards ( I was high score at bridge on Tuesday among 4 tables - whoo whoo!!), bingo (both Church and I won Monday night for a grand total of $12.50 - neither of us won on Wednesday night). Yesterday morning the clubhouse kitchen was open for cookie baking - the park provided flour, sugar, oatmeal, eggs, shortening, salt, baking powder, baking soda, etc. etc. We just had to bring the "special" ingredients for our particular recipe. There is a group going caroling around the park tonight so they made up bags of cookies for the shut-ins - the elderly people in the park who can't get out much due to illness and disabilities. They are having turkey soup after caroling then a small Christmas program and cookies in the clubhouse. So filled the bags, left trays and containers of cookies in the clubhouse for tonight, ate a few (had to try each other's recipies), handed out a few to all the men who trooped through stating "it smells good in here", and brought a few home. Good way to bake since neither of us needs to have a whole batch of anything sitting around to tempt us!



Well, we've been here two weeks and we're already planning to go somewhere else! Chuck's brother Jon and sister in law Phyllis had been talking about going to Florida for a week or two to escape Cleveland's winter. We offered to meet them and use our Hilton points for a condo. I started looking for cheap airfares and checked on Allegiant Air which we flew last year from Duluth to Las Vegas. Found that they fly out of McAllen TX - a bit of a drive but doable. Got tickets to Orlando for $29 per person each way - YES, $29!! Our total round trip for the two of us with taxes and fees is $170. Got on the phone to Jon and they are also flying Allegiant out of Toledo OH for $59 per person each way. Then got online and reserved a two-bedroom Hilton condo on International Drive for two weeks. Don't know what we will do while there - may just play it by ear. I'd like to do a day at Epcot - haven't been there in over 20 years, and maybe an airboat ride through the Everglades

Last night we were watching the National Finals Rodeo on tv from Las Vegas and decided to talk with friends Kathy and Bryan about taking a bus trip to the San Antonio Rodeo and Stock Show in February. We have never been to the rodeo there and Billy Ray Cyrus is performing the day of the scheduled bus trip. Would be a new experience!

Well, stay warm and keep repeating, "Spring will come, Spring will come."

Winter Texans

We made it! We arrived in Fulton TX about 4:15 p.m. yesterday. We headed straight to Panjo's to meet the group for pizza. No problems on the trip down - just some rain and a few crazy drivers. After pizza we headed to Woody Acres to park the rv and head over for Texas Hold'em. Chuck took 3rd and I took 4th so we both made a few $$ - good beginning.



We had a good last few days in Branson - another day at Silver Dollar City with great weather and a delicious Thanksgiving dinner at 76 Country Buffet. I can't believe they can prepare and serve such delicious food for SO many people. Turkey, ham, prime rib, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes with pecan praline topping, green bean casserole, beef stroganof, barbequed chicken, catfish, carrots, fried okra, corn, etc. etc. and to top it off, pumpkin pie, apple pie, warm blackberry cobbler and warm pecan pie cobbler. They were open from 11am to 8pm and the line was huge all day but moved steady. My hats off to the cooks and staff!



Today we are getting set up. Last night we just parked and plugged in the electricity. Today we straightened up, leveled, hooked up water, sewer, etc., got the grill out and set up, the DISH TV set up, and I worked inside: setting up the computer table and the computer and printer, putting up Christmas decorations, arranging all my STUFF, and making my grocery list for my first trip to HEB (a big Texas grocery chain).



It's always fun to get back with our Texas friends - we call them Texas friends even though they are from Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Minnesota, British Columbia, etc. Tuesday night is the free fish fry that Fulton-Rockport puts on to welcome back it's "Winter Texans." Becky and Roger got us tickets and volunteered us to work with them again last year. It's more fun to "work" than to just go and eat. Tonight is game night - we play a game called Pegs and Jokers with a group, tomorrow afternoon is cribbage and tomorrow night is bingo here at the park - etc. etc. We've been "officially" welcomed by our friendly geese - Clyde a grey goose and his/her pal, Little Goose, a white goose - they were over this morning begging for bread. Yes, bread is on my grocery list!



As I just told Chuck, DISH TV is up and working, wireless internet is up and working - LIFE IS GOOD!



Keep in touch

Linda and Chuck