2/2-2/5/2012 Up, Down, Back, Forth

Let me put this right out there here and now. We are sick of being sick!

For a day there we both felt good and the next day Bob wakes up and its in his chest and he coughs and coughs and hacks.

Enough! We’ve had enough!

The weather isn’t helping any either. It isn’t that its cold here but just overcast, cloudy, drizzling at times, downpours at others.

If this doesn’t change soon hitch itch is going to start in extra early.

Before I forget, remember the float the winter residents here in the park made for the Citrus Festival parade?

It took third place in the Winter Texan II Division. Since we weren’t able to attend the parade I have no idea what the different divisions mean or how they are determined but it’s nice to know this float placed in the top three in one of the categories.

Since we haven’t been out to do anything because of health or weather we have had lots of time for online shopping. We placed an order for a portable ice maker.

We now go through a LOT of ice since I always have a large glass of Crystal Light iced tea by my side. Quite frankly, we don’t like the water here. We’re buying RO (reverse osmosis) water by the gallon for fifteen cents but for some reason I always end up making the ice cubes with tap water. Not anymore once this arrives.

That’s about it for now. We are just waiting around for a change to come our way. Health and sunshine would be nice for awhile.

2/1/2012 Bernie & Red Come to Mission Bell

Soon after we arrived here, back in October, we learned that the comedy team of Bernie & Red were going to be here. We had seen them twice before in Quail Run and enjoyed their shows immensely. We couldn’t wait to see them again.

We told all of our friends, “You can’t miss this show, they are so funny!”

The day finally arrived for them to entertain us once again. We had heard buses were bringing in people from other parks so we knew we wanted to get there early. From previous shows I knew we wanted to get up front because you just don’t want to miss facial expressions on Red when she starts imitating the animals. (Oh what a riot!) So we got there early. Let me clarify that, Me, Toni, Bunky and Chip got there early. Like at five o’clock early for a seven o’clock show. Bob and Eddie said they would get there closer to seven.

When we first arrived we were told that we couldn’t go in until 5:30. I had looked in the room and saw someone moving chairs so as to add two chairs to each row in the center section. I called out and asked if they needed help not knowing who it was that was moving the chairs. She yelled back that no, she had just finished up but thanks anyway. I had taken notice of Bernie on the stage setting up and went to say hello since we had talked on the phone several times and met in Quail Run when I was the Activities Director. I walked to the stage and said, “Hi Bernie, I don’t expect you’ll remember me but I’ve met you before, my name is Snookie.” He smiled and said, “Ah, Snookie, I do remember you.” and with that I heard from behind me, “I remember Snookie.” Lo and behold the person moving chairs was Red! She said, “I don’t remember where from but I remember your name and you look familiar.” On stage, Bernie held hand to forehead and said, “Let me think, we met you in….in…..QUAIL RUN!” I don’t think it was a matter of meeting me was so memorable but that Bernie has a great memory for names and places and let’s face it, how many Snookie’s do you meet? We chatted for a bit and I left them to finish setting up the stage for their show.

A little before 5:30 we were told we could go in and lay down whatever we had to lay claim to the seats we wanted. Toni and I hurried through the doors because we knew where we wanted to be. Another lady was also early and she too made a beeline for the room. Toni and I walked faster and got to the front row and cordoned off six seats with jackets, a book and sweater. Evidently the lady wanted the seats we had chosen and said something like, “Well, it looks like you walked faster than me.” Toni and I smiled and agreed with her. Little did I know that before the night was over I was going to have a very strong dislike for this lady.

Someone else had come in and laid cushions on four more seats at the other end of the row. Red came over to me and said that since she added two more seats that if we would move down one it would leave two seats at the end rather than one seat at the end and one in the middle. No problem, made sense to have two seats together for another couple to come in. I moved the “slow lady’s” cushions down and started with ours when I realized that the foursome at the end had already made the move and it was taken care of. Again, no problem, I’ll move it back, including the ones belonging to the “slow lady”. Well, just as I was moving hers back to the original space, her and her two gentleman escorts showed up and she demanded to know why I was moving her cushions. I started to explain about the two single seats and I moved them not knowing the foursome at the end had already taken care of it and that I was moving everything back the way it was. I never got the whole explanation out because she just went off on me. All over me with who did I think I was moving her cushions. Again I tried to explain but she wasn’t hearing me. She kept going on and on and on and on about I had no business even touching her cushions and who did I think I was and I reached the point where I had enough of her running her mouth. One of her companions looked at me and gave me a look as if to say, “Pay her no mind”. Well, that wasn’t going to happen! Still listening to her rant I said rather loudly, “Look lady, your cushions are in the same place where you left them. I’m sorry I moved them, now GET OVER IT! She came right back at me, “No, you shouldn’t have touched them in the first place, you had no right to move my cushions.” To myself I’m thinking, “If I ever get like this, please, somebody, just shoot me.” Miserable old biddy fit this woman to a T!

We still had an hour and a half to sit there until show time so the four of us talked and I read for awhile. Wouldn’t you know the lady a few seats down had a friend come in with her cushions and she told her that she was going to lay them on the seats behind us and to make sure that no one took their seats while she was gone. Of course the lady replied, “Well, I’ll try, I didn’t have too much luck saving my own seats. You know people just move your cushions whenever they want to.” I just lost it. I’m at the point now I just want to stuff a sock in her mouth. I leaned forward to look around her companion sitting next to me and said in a stern tone of voice, “Lady, just leave it alone, just get over it. It’s done.” She looked at me and sniffed. The woman sniffed at me. Now I want to stuff a sock in her mouth and hold her nose shut!

Toni, meanwhile is trying hard not to laugh out loud and calm me down at the same time.

Time passed rather quickly with people we know coming in and talking with them and watching Bernie put the finishing touches on the stage.

I think the flower arrangements came off the float from the Texas Citrus Festival that Mission Bell / Trade Winds entered.

Chip, Bunky and Toni, munching popcorn, waiting for the show.

Bernie tuning his guitar.

Married for forty six years, Bernie & Red, originally from Britain, now live in Canada. In the months of January, February and March, they live in their forty foot motorhome and travel southwest entertaining Winter Texan’s, Arizona’s Winter Residents and California’s Snowbirds. Earlier in their career they worked the cruise line circuit.

Seven had come and Bernie introduced his lady in red.

The first act is mainly them singing and telling funny stories. There is a theme and this show had songs from the era of Red’s costume. There was audience participation when we were asked to sing along to the songs all of us knew and then were the songs that they made up, Bernie had some funny stories and jokes for us and of course no one can miss the fact Bernie can be telling a story and Red is just talking right over him. Its quite the routine they have and they don’t miss a beat.

There is one segment of the show when Bernie gets quite serious about the Italian operatic aria that he sings. Quite serious for us too until we realize what he’s singing. Word after word in this operatic aria all completely Italian. Like pepperoni, linguini, Phil Esposito, Chef Boyardee, Anna Maria Alberghetti…..all sung, this whole string of Italian words. It was really done quite well and was very amusing. Of course he ends his Italian operatic aria with a flourish!

Red does seem to be her color doesn’t it?

The second act brought lots of laughs as they talked more about their RV adventures and mishaps. Things we could all certainly relate to.

Red has a costume change into slacks and top with jacket.

They have this one segment where Bernie tells a story and she acts out the animals in the story through actions and sound effects. She had us practically rolling in the aisles.

We are so glad we got to see them again and are hoping this isn’t the last time.

1/31/2012 We Wear Curtains Here in Texas!

We feel good! Both of us! Up and at em’ this morning like nobody’s business. Good thing too because today is laundry day.

I gathered everything up and went to the laundry room to take care of the washing and drying and while there I heard this laughter. Lots of laughter. Bunky had stopped by when she saw me in there and we went to sidewalk to see where all the laughter was coming from.

The pool. Something is going on at the pool. I was done folding everything so we walked over to find out what was so funny.

It seems they were modeling some swimsuit cover-ups that they each made with own two hands. Well, maybe one didn’t.

It all started when one of the ladies made a blue swimsuit cover-up for herself using some, shall we say porous material. An open weave material to say the least.

She sewed a piece of elastic to the top and called it a ….cover-up. It does the job.

A few days later some of the ladies went to ROPA to see what treasures they could find and one of them pulled a lace curtain out of the pile and when her friend saw it they had the same idea at the same time. You guessed it! Cover-ups.

Now another one of their friends wanted to be part of this also but they only had a enough curtain panels for the two. Being the clever lady she is, and while no one actually told me this, I’m assuming she has a naked window at her house right now!

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Trade Winds Bathing Beauties!

Just before I took this next picture somebody yelled out,,, Girls UP!

I just love the pleats in the cover-up, second from left.

Ladies you done good!

1/29-1/30/2012 Sleeping in 12 Hour Shifts

The past two days, we slept. A lot. Sunday night we were both in bed by eight o’clock and sound asleep by eight thirty. And we got up at eight thirty Monday morning. Twelve hours of sleeping. This Texas Crud drains you of everything you have. There is no energy for anything other than walking to the kitchen, bathroom, to the computer desks and back to the bedroom. (In a 37 foot 5th wheel that really isn’t a whole of steps to begin with) The cough isn’t as bad now and the achy feelings are gone its just this incredible lack of energy that’s left now.

Monday was a repeat of Sunday. This has to pass soon, we just can’t deal with this anymore. It’s over two and half weeks for Bob now, and nearly two weeks for me. Enough already!

On a happy note we get to welcome Michael and Dee to our Frequent Reader family. We hope you enjoy the journey!

Better days are coming. I hope.

12/7/2012 Deck the Hulls Party

No, I didn’t spell that wrong in the post title.  Think boat hulls.

We joined most of the volunteers in the park at Caribbean Club for dinner and the parade.

Everyone brought something to share to eat and our volunteer coordinator, Elena, made arrangements to have two picnic tables reserved for us.

Once again, good food and good company.

Although we had some low sitting clouds the sunset was still pretty.

It was a great evening to sit out near the docks.  No bugs and temps in the mid-70’s.

The spectators that were going to watch the parade by boat in the water were starting to gather.

Paddleboards seem to be quite popular on this calm water.  There were about a half dozen paddling around this evening.

The bay side bars from Key Largo to Key West were all busy this evening with Deck the Hulls parties and boat parades.

By the time darkness fell the Caribbean Club picnic and dock area was jam packed with people waiting to watch the parade.

One of the boats coming in to get in line.  If these are rain clouds, we didn’t get it.

The parade got started a half hour late but we didn’t mind as we were all sitting around talking and most were enjoying adult beverages.

It was around this time I took notice of my camera and the settings.  Half strength battery.  I never checked my battery level, tonight of all nights.  I could have taken a lot more pictures but I had to be very careful with a low battery.

There were so many more but again, a low battery kept me from taking pictures of every one, besides they weren’t all that spectacular.

We’re glad we went!

1/28/2012 We Missed the Whole Thing!

I have been looking forward the 75th Texas Citrus Festival for the last month or so. It wasn’t just a one day thing it actually spanned two weeks and we didn’t see any of it! None. Nada. Zilch! I am sooo disappointed.

Some events were scheduled when we were also scheduled to work. Other days Bob or I were sick. Now today, the finale, the big party, the huge parade and Bob is back down again.

This Texas Crud is just going to keep going back and forth, I can see it now.

I felt well enough to at least go to the parade but it did get kind of chilly when a cold front came through and it was quite windy. However, there was no way Bob was going.

At least I got to see the float that Mission Bell/Trade Winds had in the parade.

We got up to go to work this morning and I knew that the final touches would be added to the float so I grabbed my camera on the way out the door.

Sure enough, the decorating crew was hard at work. The float has a definite Mardi Gras theme.

This took a lot of fruit and a lot of slicing!

I think they did a wonderful job on the float.

What’s Mardi Gras without masks and beads?

Kudo’s to the decorating committee!

Bob woke up with a sore throat this morning and is feeling worse by the minute. I’ll be so glad when this work shift is over! We both need to totally rest.

While we were out I took notice of these yellow Texas roses.

These blossoms are so incredibly fragrant!

They sure do grow the trees in a strange way here.

The float was ready for the parade.

Our Queen,,,Margie. Sitting with her is Scott our park manager as Margie lost her husband a few months ago.

If only we could have seen the parade.

1/26/12 Meds–1Liquid, 1Powder, 2Pills & 2 SHOTS!

MucinexDM – EXTRA STRENGTH, I’m sure you are one very effective OTC medicine for a normal cold but I don’t think you are a match for the Texas Crud. You guessed it another sleepless night. It wasn’t as bad for Bob this time because I sat up a good portion of the night sucking on butterscotch hard candies. That seemed to keep the coughing at bay. However, I just had to catnap every once in awhile because I was just worn out.

We’re on our work schedule right now, day two. Oh I didn’t feel like I had the strength to do anything and I had the chills so I pulled out sweats and my heavy winter jacket to wear. I can imagine what we looked like riding around in the golf cart, me dressed for the dead of winter at the Artic Circle and Bob in his shorts and T-shirt.

Anyway, we were at the park across the street and Bob was clearing the shuffle board courts of the few remaining straggling leaves and I was tidying up around the fountain/sitting area. It was here that it hit me just how bad this Texas Crud is. I just started crying. I didn’t have strength to even pick the rake up and one of the winter residents walked over taking note of my tears. She went to get Bob. Bob rolled up the cord to the leaf blower, came over to me and said, “Snookie, we’re going to the hospital.” I readily agreed because breathing was getting to be a real chore.

I had gotten the address from the office for the Urgent Care clinic close by and off we went.

They had to determine if they accepted our Tricare insurance and after a few phone calls it was determined that yes they do. That was good new to these ears as our next option was to go to McAllen to the hospital and I just didn’t want to go there.

After about a half hour wait I was called back for the Doctor. Doctor Cirillo is young, nice and seems genuinely concerned for the person sitting across from him. After the usual first Doctor/Patient round of questions we got down to business.

I don’t have pneumonia yet. I’m right on the line. Right now my diagnosis is acute bronchitis. Dr. C. explained that it can cross that line and go into pneumonia very quickly and that we would treat this aggressively. He told me that he would write me three prescriptions and that he had three medicines here in the office. ALRIGHTY THEN! Let’s get this show on the road.

He first handed me a sample of an Advair inhaler to help me breathe easier if I felt I needed it. He then handed me a prescription for a cough suppressant. I wasn’t too happy about this one as I saw the word expectorant and I didn’t see the words cherry flavored anywhere. The next prescription was for Prednisone. Oh no! Days of food tasting like cardboard were ahead of me. The third prescription was for an antibiotic. I held my hand out for the next in office meds but none were forthcoming. This is where he dropped the bomb on me.

Dr C: “The last two medications I have for you will administered by injection.”

Me: “WHAT?????”

Dr. C: “Yes, injections, either in your arm or your buttock, you can make the choice.”

Me: “I don’t do needles.”

Dr. C: “Oh ok, then how about when I make my hospital rounds in a few days I stop in to see you? How will that work for you?” (This man has watched himself some Dr Phil!)

Me: “Isn’t there a pill form?”

Dr. C: “Yes.”

Me: <<<< Perking up and grinning from ear to ear upon hearing this news, yeah, go pills!

Dr. C: “But, we have to treat this aggressively, remember? This is the way to do that.”

Me: “Damn Texas Crud!”

Dr. C: “It’s your choice, what’s it gonna be?”

Me: “Do you have little needles?”

Dr.C: spreading fingers about an inch “There not bad.”

Me: ::sweat-soaked:: “OK, I’ll do it.”

Dr. C: “I’ll send my assistant in”.

This young fellow, probably mid 20’s comes in to meet me and talk about the procedure. I started to talk about my intense fear and he held his hand up and said that Dr. C had informed him and that he was there to let me know he has a gentle hand and that it will be over before I know it. Oh where have I heard that before????

My right buttock was the first target area. Oh. Em. Gee! He was right, he had a gentle hand. I felt it to be sure but the serum be injected had to be as thick as molasses! It hurt! When he was done I rubbed the area and it felt like a large marble had been slipped under my skin. He suggested I keep rubbing it as it would help disperse the serum and it would get into my system faster.

Then Mr. CNA cheerfully announced he was ready for the other side whenever I was. I should have never asked if the serum was as thick as the first. That was a mistake because when he said he wasn’t going to lie to me, that it was, then I knew what was coming!

You know, its very hard to say, “Ok, I’m ready” when you know something very unpleasant is about to happen to you.

I suffered through it. It hurt like hell too!

Finally done I went out to the truck and we headed toward the pharmacy. Prescription medication in hand, we headed home.

I’ve got a complicated time regiment in front of me to remember when I have to take these pills and take the expectorant. One with food, one without, one is two in the morning, one after lunch and two after and dinner and one before bed and the cough suppressant is three times in a day in six hour intervals. I am so not a pill taker!

So I took the cough medicine for the first time. This is some nasty, nasty stuff! Vile! It makes me feel very strange. I do things but I’m not really aware I’m doing them. For instance, typing, I can see the words appearing on the screen but I cannot relate that my hands are touching the keys. I can’t feel it. The label said, “Drowsiness may occur,” I was sound asleep a half hour after taking it. I hope that happened this time (I just took it) just because I’m so sleep deprived. I have to take this vile, nasty stuff for the next 10 days. And it had better work during the night time hours.

So there it is, the latest update on the Texas Crud.

When we returned this morning Bob went back out and got his hours in. The dog pen was in much need of lawn mowing and I think he did a sweep around both parks for trash, fruit and fallen limbs.

It’s been quite a day and the cough medicine is starting to kick in. I’m ready to sleep.