Update from South Texas

Seriously? Three weeks since my last post? Wow!! Talk about a double-edged sword with this retirement thing. My apologies for the true followers. For everyone else, sit back and I’ll try to catch up. Since the last post, there’s been a war in Europe, bitch slaps at the Oscars, Jan 6 noise, and windstorms a plenty here in South Texas. But to most of us, none of that matters. So let’s get down to brass tacks!

Vicki and I are three days out from spending time with our number 2 grandson for a 6-day cruise in the Gulf and Mexico. So looking forward to the experience and the experiences we will encounter. Elisabeth and Justin are going to escort the strapping young lad to Bville and then we’ll fly to Ft. Lauderdale the next morning early. E & J are going to house sit and watch the dogs for us which is a huge relief. Annie and Roxie would not do well being boarded.

Oliver and Emmett are super involved in baseball and football. Oliver has been playing in the 5 v 5 league in Stanwood which pits linemen against linemen in mortal combat. (Actually, they just do blocking drills, but mortal combat sounds more spectacular.) Each time we watch Ollie he becomes tougher and more aggressive. He seems to enjoy it immensely and soon he will be part of the big uglies that truly win football games. Give the quarterbacks and receivers the glory, but if the big guys weren’t there doing the dirty work they’d be miserable. Emmett is kicking butt and taking names in baseball. As a matter of fact in his most recent tournament, which his team won, he was named the tournament’s most valuable pitcher and was 3rd in the MVP for most valuable hitter. Had a grand slam and several doubles. The kid is definitely going places. Dominic, our eldest grandson, just turned 21. He is doing so well. He is working hard as an apprentice electrician and enjoys every minute. Hard to believe he is that old. Where has the time gone? So proud of all he has accomplished all ready and looking forward to where he will be going.

Spring has finally arrived here in Brownsville with the temperature climbing into the upper 80’s. But with the heat has also come the humidity. 80%+ most days! Makes for tough sleeping. One thing we have not expected is the incessant wind that accompanies it though. We’ve had constant 25-30 mph wind for the last 3 weeks with some record gusts as well. Glad we’re not driving as the wind gusts have reached 66 mph. Definitely not ideal kilt wearing weather. It is truly an exercise in futility to keep the debris swept off our lot. But hey, we have a blower.

Our routine is fairly steadfast as we prepare for the cruise. Vicki is doing really well and has picked up a ton of slack as my ability to move freely has somewhat diminished with this damn hip of mine. I’ve been to my new doctor and will hopefully get a steroid injection tomorrow as we get ready to cruise. Then an orthopedic referral so I can have this hip replaced. Then there’ll be no stopping me.

Did get some disturbing news. My pseudo sister Diana T has breast cancer. It’s been caught early, but I’d ask you please, send some white light and positive energy her way as she goes through treatment. It seems more and more people I know are reaching that stage of life. Lost my first girlfriend from high school in December. I know it’s part of the inevitable, but it still sucks. Frank is doing well and rapidly approaching his 90th birthday. He’s been extracting quite a bit of money from Angel of the Winds. This probably will make up for the donations he made earlier in the year.

Josh and Annalise are doing well and take scheduling and carpooling to a whole new level. Both seem happy at their work places and what with sports for the boys, I don’t see how they do it all. We’re getting through birthday season as we have 5 birthdays in a span of a month. At least all their dates make good lotto number picks. Speaking of lotto, I did have all six Powerball numbers on my ticket last week, however I didn’t win. Apparently you have to have all six numbers on the same line. That’s a loophole that is not fully explained in the rules. I’m having my attorneys Dewey-Cheatum & Howe look into that for me.

We have been sucked into the supply chain vortex. Although really its more of how do I get the f***ing part I need. We installed the night and solar shade in the front windshield when we returned. Our wonderful repair guy Kevin only marked 4 of 6 wires and so it became a Chinese puzzle box to figure out which wire went where. Finally got one of the blinds working only to discover that one of the switches which operate the system was kaput! So now it is a quest to find a replacement switch so I can finish the job. It is further complicated by the fact that on the switch is only a partial part number. Who does this? So, I, Don Quixote am on a virtuous quest to find the switch and install it. Ahhhhh, the life of a full time RVer!

As to the war, the Oscars, and the MLB lockout, not much I can do but roll my eyes. Besides no one listens to my simple solutions, so Que sera, sera. Will include pictures of the trip and more in the next post in two weeks. Until then, we are still loving retirement.