Monday, February 20, 2012

Lots of Fun...

We haven't been short of things to do over the past week, and what fun we have had.

Island Fun...we picked up Glynn  and Sylvia and headed to South Padre.  On the way, we stopped in Harlingen at the Marine Military Academy, home of the

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Iwo Jima memorial.  We knew Glynn would enjoy seeing the memorial and the and going through the

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museum.  He did!

Then it was on to South Padre Island.  We had a great lunch at

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Black Beards.  Yummy grilled shrimp, fried shrimp and fish, and stuffed crab with all the trimmings.  After that lunch, we decided to take a walk

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on the beach.  Sylvia found lots of shells for her granddaughter.  The

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water was a little cold, but...you know, first thing I did was put my feet in to test it out.

The

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gulls were having a fun day as well.

After our time on the beach, we headed back across the causeway into Port Isabel.  We made a stop by the

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light house and

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light keepers house.  Sylvia and I found an

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open market and

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couple of shops where we did a little shopping.

After all the beach walking and shopping, Glynn and Mark thought they deserved a stop at the local Dairy Queen .

What a great day.

Fishing Fun...Last Friday, Mark invited Glynn to go Deep Sea Fishing with some of the guys from here at Retama.  Glynn did great and caught his limit of Red Snapper and

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this big Grouper.  Now, while Glynn was having fun, Mark was pretty sea sick.  However, he did bring home his

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limit of Red Snapper.

Over the weekend, we enjoyed a concert at La Joya High School.  What a talented group of teens - No Photographs

Bull Fight Fun...Yesterday, we drove about an hour northwest of Mission to La Gloria to the

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Bloodless Bull Fights.

Once we were all

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seated, and prior to the fights, we were entertained with

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dancing.

Then the parade

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began and the

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matadors were introduced.

It was then time for the show to began and

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a good show it was.  And while the matador was providing an exciting afternoon for us, the bull provided a little excitement for

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the matador.  She was just fine!  And,the show

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continued until she removed the flowers from the bull, which represents the ceremonial kill.  For this fight she was awarded

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2 ears and a tail...in other words...she did a great job in bull fight talk!

What a fun afternoon, a fun weekend, a fun last several days with lots of friends.  And, in the mist of the fun we have been having, I noticed today that warmer weather is sneaking in and the

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flowers are blooming and the

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butterflies are returning.  Looks like more fun days are in store.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Projects and Parties...

Over the last couple of weeks, and especially this past week, we have had our share of rain, for which we are thankful, but, we are glad to finally see the sunshine.

However...before the rains came Mark was able to get our

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patio extension complete.

Julian and his

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helper came with the big equipment and

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dug out the grass and dirt and

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carried it off.  This left Mark a nice clean

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and level area to start laying the pavers.  He worked for several days and his finished project was

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was looking really nice across the back and

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up the side.  When he was finished, we had several pavers left. So, we decided to

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clean up the front flowerbed.  Wow,

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what a difference it made.

While Mark was been busy with his projects, I had one of my own going.  I signed up for a mosaic glass class at the Stained Glass studio in McAllen.  At the first class, we learned about cutting glass, choosing glass colors, designing patterns, and

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starting our projects.  Then, our assignment for the week was to

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continue cutting the glass, gluing, and

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completing the project to this point,

When we returned to class this week, it was time to pick out the grout color and

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get busy.

Soon, I was well into

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the concept of this step.  With it complete and dry, it was then time to start

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removing the grout and shining the glass.  This was quite a process, but, when I was finished, I was

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surprised and excited at what I was seeing.

Now, I just have to let it dry for a couple of days, then it will be time for glaze.  I had a blast and already have another project or two in mind!

In addition to our projects, we have also had a party or two.

There was the February

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Ladies Luncheon.  We had lots of yummy salads.  I was glad to have

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Sylvia Avery join our group for the day.  She and Glynn are visiting here in the RGV for a month.

After a great lunch, we enjoyed

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floral demo by a representative from Hobby Lobby.   What a

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talented young lady.

We also had our first, but not last Retama Arts Fair.  We enjoyed

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the many talents of

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our Retama

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residents.

The Art's Fair was just another reason for the community to

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party!  But, then again, we look for any reason to party...like...even when

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Niles and Sue became official Texans!

So, as you can see, between the projects and the parties, we are certainly keeping busy and enjoying every minute!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Alive and Well in the RGV...

I know...you don't have to tell me...it's been a long time since I last blogged.  I could give you a lot of excuses, but, I won't.  So...all, I can say is, I just got lazy about pictures and writing.

However, with a little persuasion, I decided, I better play catch up.  So, when I last left you, we were still  hanging out in Fort Worth enjoying the

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holidays with family.  Christmas was great, and...

Kinley, enjoyed her

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first New Year's.

We planned to head out right after the New Year, but, Mark was determined to see the

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swimming pool project at Scott and J's finished and ready for water, so we stayed home a while longer.

Finally, we were well into January and it was time to head South.  We made a stop in San Antonio for a few days to visit with Rod and Deb.  While we were there, we managed to find a couple of TV's Diner, Drive-ins, and Dives...Mark and Deb's favorite show!  First, there was

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Beto's, home of the world's best empanadas.  The next day, we went to

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Texas Pride Barbecue.  Both...good finds!

After spending time with great friends, it was time to say "see you later" and make our way on to the RGV.  It was nice to be back to our winter home.

And, since our return, we have kept busy...

We rented the Harley again, and joined

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rest of the gang for a bike ride.

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Greg and Bonnie led us out to La Gloria to the

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home of the bloodless bull fights.

We saw some of the

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matadors practicing to face off with one

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of these guys.

Then, it was off to Rio Grande City for lunch at

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Che's, an old haunted hotel as the story goes.

What a great day.

We also participated in the Walk Through The Village, which is an

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open house for those outside our community to come see Retama.  We had a beautiful day and lots of visitors.

This past weekend, we joined in with friends and neighbors for a

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cookout at the

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palapa, which is located down by the

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river.

Our days are warm and the nights are cool...and

I stay busy with the girls...there is our weekly Weight Watchers meetings followed by lunch.  We swim, and shop, and, just hang out.  I am looking forward to taking a mosaic class at the Stained Glass shop over the next couple of weeks.

Mark has been occupied with the guys.  They have been going to the indoor shooting range and recently attended the class where they were issued their concealed handgun license.  Of course, they also find time to have breakfast together on Fridays and do a little shopping of their own.

Then, we have started a new project of our own, thanks to Garry and Pat.  They are

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redoing their patio and offered us the

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old pavers.

So, Mark has been busy

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cleaning them.  Tomorrow, Victor is coming to dig out the grass space behind our drive and then Mark can begin to make the 4' extension with the pavers.  Thanks Garry and Pat!

But, no matter how busy we get...there is always time for Happy Hours

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and friends.

Wow..we are alive and well in the RGV!