12/29/15 "Company's Coming!

Glen sang "Company's Coming" tonight at the Jam Session.

It's true!

Gary and Evelyn will be here tomorrow afternoon.  Jan and Bruce will be here Friday!

Most of the metal roofing material was delivered today.  The ridge cap was not ready as well as one bag of screws were not ready.  Those will be delivered Monday.  Then....we will be waiting on the contractor.  He estimated it would be the second week of January before he gets here to work.

Guess what?  There is rain forecast for the next four days.  I will be covering up the area under the leak.

12-27-15 Br-r-r Start of Winter

Saturday: 90 degrees
Sunday: presently 45 degrees with winds 20-25 mph

Enough Said!

Our daughter, Trisha who lives near Ft. Smith AR said they were getting ready to build an ark!

Reports from friends on FB says there are numerous roads closed in Missouri from Springfield toward St. Louis.

What a start to winter.


Today there was church, lunch, and home to stay!  The wind has roared all day, even shaking the motor home occasionally.

Have a great week.  Stay dry and keep warm.

December 25-26-2015 MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY

I turned on the computer to write the blog last night at the usual time--10:30--and could not get on line.

Everyone must have been using Verizon to call Mom, Grandma, and the grandkids. The lines were busy!

In true Hispanic tradition fireworks were in the air last night from dark until I went to sleep.

We enjoyed "leftovers" with Jim and Dee plus ten others at mid day yesterday.  In addition to the leftover ham, Dee had made two pans of lasagna for the lunch.  Everything was delicious!

Everyone stayed until mid afternoon!

39 years ago today was a busy day!  I was pregnant with a baby boy that had been due on December 9 but had not arrived.  On Christmas Day my mother suggested "let's get this baby here!"  At her suggestion I drank 2-3 ounces of CASTOR OIL.  That is nasty stuff.

About midnight I went into labor and just before noon Darin Glen Hickey arrived.  It was a Sunday!

Darin never got birthday parties on/near his birthday during elementary years.  We always had the party in January!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR SECOND BORN, OUR ONLY SON, DARIN!  He is a wonderful father, a great husband, a successful policeman and business manager, a good friend.  His wife describes him as "able to make a friend with a stop sign!"  When he was on street patrol the people he stopped would thank him for the ticket he had just issued!

There are no major plans for today.  All of the big projects are finished.

We will enjoy the weather as it is forecast to be near 90 degrees.  BUT, by the first of the year the highs are going to be 25 degrees or so colder!

12-23-15 Happy Anniversary to Dear Friends

Tonight we helped celebrate the fourth wedding anniversary of Del and Jean Runyon at a local restaurant.

Sixteen of us gathered for dinner and dessert.  There were congratulations, cards, and songs!

By the way, Del is 90 and Jean is in her 80's.  They are a vibrant, young at heart couple.  Del plays golf every day, weather permitting, and not a holiday.  They go to Canada each summer fishing.

We were honored to be a part of this celebration.

Glen finished a plumbing project today.  He ran some PVC pipe along the new concrete to a sewer hook up.  The new parking place is ready for company.

I prepared a sweet potato casserole for tomorrow's pot luck.  It is ready to pop in the oven.  Tomorrow I will prepare some apple dumplings, also.

We are blessed with the friends we have made in the eight winters we have spent in Zapata.

12-22-15 A Day to Remember

Yesterday, December 21, was the day to remember.  I just didn't get it written about.

Remember--eight years ago the 21st, was Glen's retirement day!  Those days and years have been wonderful, more than we could imagine or anticipate in the best way possible.

Remember--it was the shortest day of the year.

Remember--our oldest grandson, Brady, a senior in h.s., has all four of his wisdom teeth pulled yesterday.  He called on his way home from the surgery.  He was still under the influence of the anaesthesia, and was very funny.

We went to Laredo to the metal roofing business.  Glen ordered the materials for the new roof.  It will be delivered next Tuesday.

Today we took all of the folding tables and chairs plus the patio table and chairs to Jim and Dee's for the Christmas Eve gathering.Ten of us did the prep set up for the gathering.  After the work six couples sat and visited for a couple of hours.

It's Tuesday so it is Jam Session night.  There were ten on stage with about 20 in the audience. About 12 of us met at the DQ after the Jam Session.

It is 10:38 p.m. and still 66 degrees.  The day was partly to mostly cloudy.  The low this morning was 55 degrees.

12-20-15 Pot Luck Lunch

Following worship service today at First Baptist Church, Zapata, TX was the pot luck Christmas lunch.

There was a Mexican theme to the dishes.  Words can't describe how delicious everything was:  homemade tamales--10 dozen; homemade enchiladas, King Ranch chicken casserole, spaghetti with poblano pepper sauce; Spanish rice, salad, menudo soup (not my favorite; made with tripe), sweet potato casserole plus desserts.

Menudo soup is made with tripe.  Do you know what tripe is?  Are you ready--stomach lining.  Sorry, this is the one Mexican dish I cannot eat. I actually tasted it--OK, I put it in my mouth.  It didn't stay there long.  Use your imagination--slimy and foul tasting.  That is enough description!

I'm guessing there were about 70 in attendance; a very good crowd. There were only four winter Texans, the rest were home folks.

12-19-15 Slowly but Surely......

....things are getting done!

The past two days... Glen has replaced the kitchen door!
                 ...Glen moved the washer/dryer from the kitchen area to the bathroom.
                 ...Glen put a shelf over the washer/dryer
                 ...power-washed the table/chairs to take to Jim and Dee's for Christmas Eve afternoon.

Lest you think I just watched,
                  ...I prepared a sweet potato casserole for the Christmas pot luck lunch after church tomorrow.
                  ... raked several piles of mesquite beans and leaves to be hauled away in the wheelbarrow.
                  ...helped put away tools

Gee, Glen has done more than me! of course, he always does!

The shortest day of the year is almost here--hurray!

12-18-15 The Last Time

One Last Concrete Project!

Jeff and Marcella parked their MH on this dry area of the driveway this past spring.  It was wet and muddy when they left.  They plowed through with the MH, taking mud with them for several miles.

Whomever parks here this winter won't face that problem when leaving!

It will be ready for the "first come, first served"--whomever gets here first!

12/17/15 See You Next Year!

Next Year?  See you "Next Year"?

That is what we heard this afternoon at the Thursday Jam Session!  With Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve being on the next two Thursdays, it will be Next Year before meeting again!

Big project in the morning.  Stay tuned for pictures!

December 16, 2015 Wednesday Movie Night

The past two days have been just like the other ten days we have been here.

Glen finished a small wiring project in the bathroom, preparing to move the washer/dryer out of the kitchen area.  Both appliances are now in the bath.

Both would have been hooked up, plugged and ready to use, but Dee, neighbor on next corner came over and visited for an hour.

Dee and Jim host a neighborhood Christmas Eve luncheon each year.  I think she said there would be 20 in attendance this year.

We went to church tonight to watch a movie entitled "War Room".  It is a powerful statement on praying and the power of prayer.  If the opportunity arises for you to see this, I would encourage and recommend that you do so.

I made a pot of Taco Soup in the slow cooker.  Thanks, daughter Trisha, for the recipe!

Darin shared the following story.

He (Darin) was standing outside the door of the school to pick up Ashlynn and Zade earlier this week. Zade is in second grade.  Zade's teacher walked out with Zade and commented---

teacher:  "your son!"
Darin:  "what about my son?"
teacher: "he decided to change his name today."
Darin: "oh, really.  What to?"
teacher: "Zade, show him your papers!"
teacher: "Zade signed every one of his papers today with "THE Zade!"

THE Zade!

Laurie S. thanks for the message!  I re-read the blog.  I didn't burn two "batches", just two cookie sheets full!

12/13/15 Saturday and Sunday--Cookie Exchange

Yesterday I baked a double batch of Snickerdoodles.  I only burned two batches!  I was using "old" cookie sheets. The cookies stuck and burned.

After that happened I used parchment paper on each cookie sheet  and no more burned cookies.

Tonight at 5:30 there was a "cookie exchange" at church.  Each lady brought two dozen cookies plus recipe.

After enjoying snacks there was a "white elephant" gift exchange.
You know, person #1 chooses a wrapped gift, unwraps and displays her gift.  Person #2 then has the choice of choosing gift #1 or choosing a wrapped gift.  The gift choosing or "stealing" an opened gift goes around the room til everyone has a gift.

There was a variety of cookies, of course.  Snickerdoodles, hot chocolate cookies, s'mores cookies, two varieties of "wedding cookies", pull-apart cinnamon bread, strawberry cookies, two varieties of oatmeal cookies, gingerbread cookies.

Our church has very good bakers/cooks!  Just wait until next Sunday when there is Christmas potluck lunch!

CJ, the concrete contractor, brought a roofer by this afternoon to look at the roof that needs replacing.  He will bring an estimate by tomorrow for labor.  Glen was very impressed with his comments and knowledge.

12/10-11/15 Thursday and Friday

The music circuit has begun!

Glen went to the Thursday afternoon Jam Session, 2-4.  He got to sings lots as there were only four performers there.

I stayed home as we were expecting a UPS delivery!

Today we went to Laredo.  No matter how few or many stops we have it is an all day trip.

The first and main stop was a metal roofing business.  We chose the color of the metal roofing for the outdoor living space (pole barn), got an estimate for the cost.

Glen has decided on a contractor.  Roberto, the contractor, has said he will remove the old roof, make any needed repairs to the decking, and attach the new roof.  We don't have a date yet for the project to begin, but hope it will be soon. Roberto will order the metal, and have it delivered here.

On to WalMart for groceries and prescription refill.

Lunch was at Palenque Grill, our favorite Mexican restaurant in Laredo.  The shrimp tacos---grilled shrimp in a corn tortilla with cheese.  There are pico de gallo, salsa, and avocado cream to add to the tacos.  Delicious!

Of course,  with any projects in the planning stage, there must be a stop at Lowe's.

We sat outdoors until six when the mosquitoes made it necessary to come indoors.

Enjoy your week end!

12/9/15 Another Beautiful Day

If only the rest of the winter is like this past week!  There was a high of 81 degrees today.

The morning started off foggy but the sun soon took care of that!

Glen did more tree trimming--and it wasn't the Christmas kind!

Glen also tackled the plumbing issue in the bathroom.  He cut out the PVC pipe joint, replaced it, and waited the appropriate drying time.  Hurray, no leak, no drip so far!

In between projects, we sat outdoors, listening to CD's---Don Williams, Statler Brothers, watched the birds.

Hope you are having a great week.

12/8/15 Jammin'

It's Tuesday.

It must be time for "Jam Session"

Each Tuesday night from 7:00-9:00 is Jam Session at a nearby RV park.

Tonight there were eight on stage: three musicians, all eight were vocalists.

Glen met with a roofer this afternoon to get an estimate on tearing off the old sheet iron (tin), preparing the roof decking for new, and installing new roofing material.  We haven't chosen the new color, but it will be a metal roof.

Two more roofers are coming tomorrow to look at the outdoor living space/roof to give their estimates.

Glen finished using the weed eater today.  It's looking good here.

High today 78 degrees; mostly sunny.

12/7//15 More Organized

We are, our place is, getting more organized.

I worked on the outdoor kitchen area today.  It is about ready for Chefs' Gary and Jeff!

Glen mowed the rest of the yard, and trimmed with the weed eater.  That made it all look better!

Glen is ready to tackle the leaky pipe in the bathroom.

We visited with Jim (Dee had a migraine); across the street neighbors LaDorra and Joe, another neighbor Dale.

It was good to see our church family yesterday.  There is only one other Winter Texan couple--Del and Jean--here.  There is a cookie exchange next Sunday afternoon.  Sunday, the 20th, there will be a "potluck" Christmas lunch following worship service.

Tomorrow night is the "Tuesday night Jam Session" at a nearby RV park.  You know Glen and I will be there.

December 5-2015 More of the Same

More of the same----

powerwashing
putting things away
truck still not unloaded
half of yard mowed (note I say yard, not "lawn", very little grass     or even weeds, but what is there needs cutting)
put out a hummingbird feeder
no geckos seen today
visited with more neighbors today
oh, yes, a nap

Have a great Sunday!  We are looking forward to seeing the members at First Baptist Church.

December 4, 2015 What First? Where's the ibiprofuen?

We are at our winter home.
The truck needs unloaded. The kitchen needs unloaded.

First, what to do first?

The outdoor kitchen is covered in dust, and gecko droppings.
The concrete floor is covered in months of accumulated dust.
The outdoor kitchen needs to be cleared of the stored tables, chairs, cushions.

What to do first?

Glen helped by carrying out the table and chairs and cushions.  I started washing the stove and refrigerator, outside and inside.

Glen started washing the concrete with the power washer, including the floor of the kitchen.

It took lots of changes of water to get everything dust free and clean.

I washed all of the shelves of the cabinets.

Glen started working on a leak in the outside bathroom.  One of the hot water pipes is constantly dripping.  He pulled off the tin on the wall and found the source of the drip! The pipe has been worked on and is drying overnight.

I spoke of geckos in the first paragraph.  Geckos are good, I was told this afternoon at the hardware store.  They eat insects.  But, I really don't want them inside any closed in area.  They can eat insects outside.  We found two that were about 12-15 inches long.  They are now in gecko heaven.  I put sticky traps behind the stove and under the sink, out of the way of people to catch any that might want to move into the kitchen area!

Glen mentioned a couple of times today that by bringing new things to the kitchen, or building more, causes more work each time we arrive!  I am thinking there won't be any more big projects!

I have determined that I am going to do a better job of covering things when we leave!

The Neighborhood
this is for our readers who have been here and are familar with our neighbors.

During the summer our neighor "behind" us, Luis, passed away due to complications of diabetes.  LaLa, his wife, is still living in their mobile home. She doesn't drive, doesn't speak English, has no family here.  Gilbert, a Spanish speaking neighbor is helping her.

Two empty lots at the end of our street has been sold, and cleaned up.  Gilbert says that the new owner doesn't know what he is going to do with the lots--build or sell.

Shirley, who lives across Eagle Street, isn't here yet.  She normally is here by October, but is having health issues.  She hopes to be here soon--if she feels like driving here.

Jim and Dee, two houses down, who went to Alaska with us, arrived today from visiting Dee's daughter who just moved to the Dallas area.

12-3-15 Arrival in Zapata, TX (and) HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEETIE

Travel day was uneventful--except for one thing.

We were one hour from Zapata, went over a railroad crossing that was very downhill on the "other" side.  There was a big bump that threw things in the air.  We had crossed the crossing; a driver came to the right side of the motor home and signalled by pointing to the rear.

Glen pulled over; went to rear of the truck and discovered that one of the bikes had bumped out of the bike carrier and was on the ground.  Thankfully we had only gone a few feet so there was no damage to the bike.

A deputy sheriff also stopped to tell us a bike was out of the carrier.  We are thankful for the helpful driver and sheriff.

Glen like to park the motor home with the fuel tank full.  We filled up with diesel and arrived at out place about 2:45.

I took pictures of the outside thermometer--72 degrees; and of Glen trimming the mesquite trees that were hanging over the concrete pad.  So far I have not figured out how to get pictures from my phone to the computer.

Note: I downloaded Windows 10 and there are definitely some things I have NOT figured out yet. Beware before you get Windows 10.  Of course I am not up to date on anything computer!

Glen has received many birthday wishes on FB, by texts, and phone.  He appreciates each and every thought and wish.  We celebrated by eating at "Angels", our favorite restaurant in town.

The outside kitchen was in fairly decent shape.  There had been no major rain leaks.  Everything is dusty.  Major cleaning tomorrow before anything gets moved there.

We set off a bug bomb in the kitchen to take care of any geckos, dirt daubers, spiders and other bugs!  The sticky strips that were left in there last spring were filled with all of the above critters.

We always say "there is no hurry to get this stuff done"; but of course we are always anxious to get things put away.

Tomorrow my first project is to power wash the concrete and kitchen floor!  Geckos are messy; it always looks like a bird has been roosting.  Then, wash all of the surfaces, etc.

I figured it out!  You can see how much the mesquite tree has grown over the concrete where the motor home is parked.

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12-2-15 Half Way There! (Left Greenwood, AR; Overnight in Rockdale, TX Walmart)

We enjoyed the last evening with Brady and Tanner, Trisha and Jeff at their home.  Natalie was there for a few minutes.
Tanner is a comedian.  He has a funny line for every conversation.  We laughed until there were tears!

Everything was ready for travel.  We stopped at the south side of Greenwood to have the propane tank filled.  We then were on the road at at 8:30 a.m.

Lunch--okay, crackers and cheese, was as we traveled down the road.

There was a quick stop at the company that installed the braking system in/on the 2010 gray pick up.  The system was removed and installed into the new truck.  Glen wanted the system looked at to make sure all was okay.  The employee came out, checked the brakes, looked under the hood, and declared all was proper.  That took about 5 minutes!

We are parked at the Walmart parking lot in Rockdale, Texas.  We will arrive in Zapata tomorrow mid afternoon.

By the way.... temperature reached to 62 degrees!
         ......there has been rivers out into fields, creeks flooding and low areas flooded.  Obviously there has been LOTS of rain recently.

Finally....I got this photo to download.

On the left is Drew boyfriend (of), Natalie*, Tanner, Landon*, and Brady.  *Jeff's children

This was lunch on Thanksgiving day!