Yippee Yi Yo! TX Hill Country 2012

View of Johnson Creek from behind clubhouse

Chapel of the Hills at JCRV -- we actually attend church here this year

Axis deer feeling frisky

JCRV:  Axis have doubles in numbers, pecan orchard looks good - it survived the drought, Western Town is finished, new laundry room nearly finished.  Good to be "home".

David, Becky, Dee, Tom, and Tsu Tsu

Dee - My Pennies Leader

12-28-11:  On the way to Ingram from Texarkana, we spent one night in Waco.  While there, we got to see one of our fave rv couples, Tom and Dee.  They have partially settled down -- through the winter -- in a beautiful new home.   Tom didn't seem to appreciate my Razorback shirt at all.  LOL.  I told him next time I'll wear my Yellow Dog cap.  All you Pennies players, Dee is the one who taught me to play 3 winters ago!  I wandered into Monday night game night at JCRV and met her, and the rest is history! I'm hooked and have hopefully hooked some of you on it!

12-29-11:  We tried the new toll road around Austin.  We were really enjoying the peacefulness of it, when suddenly we were pulled over by a sheriff.  He and Rocky spoke to each other, he asked us a few questions and found out we are fulltime rv'ers, went to his car and came back after a few minutes. He told us he is jealous, would like to hop in the truck and go with us, and said "Have a nice day".  No ticket.  I so wanted to take his pic for this blog, but decided we'd better not push it.  Next time.  haha.

New Western Town at JCRV

Johnson Creek - didn't dry up in the drought cuz it's spring fed

Rocky reuniting with Major -  Big Boy on left and Misty on right

a baby Axis watching us from the pecan orchard

We arrived at JCRV!  We feel like this is our 2nd home. It's one of the few places we return to.  This is our 3rd winter here. We were supposed to set up on the orchard side like always, but someone had parked their truck in our spot and was gone for the day.  So Peggy moved us to a pull-thru near the office.  Which is just fine as long as we don't have to move again. Hey, even if we do have to move again, we still love it here!

Our friend Sarah has bought a new home in Kerrville and will be moving out of the park in Jan. She gave me a tour of her home and it's great!  We are very excited for her. One of the best things about the neighborhood is that it's adults only.

12-30-11:  This afternoon I played Pennies with my Michigan friend from last year,  Katie.  She travels with her parents as she's being  home-schooled.  This is her senior year, so most likely the last time we will see her here at JCRV. Who knows though -- maybe we'll see her in Michigan.  She clobbered me in cards!!  But we had fun catching up.  She's such a great young lady.

Sarah, Peggy Sue, and Katie playing Pennies

Tonite her mom, Peggy Sue, and I teamed up against Katie and Sarah. I still lost. Hmmm, there seems to be a common denominator here.

My gift to Mr. Ken

Mr. Ken came over to the card game with my picture I'd given him last year as a going away gift.  He says he's kept it by his bedside for a year!! LOL. Before we leave, I'm going to try to get Mr. Ken to plank!


12-31-11:  New Year's Eve party at the clubhouse tonite. Karaoke-ing wasn't even an option this year! I guess they didn't want me to clear the house out again.  We met Sue and Glen.  We became fast friends, and although they are leaving in a couple of days we hope we can meet up with them again someday. I guess I'm becoming a party lightweight.  We left at 8:30 and I was in bed by 9:00!  A few texts sort of woke me up at midnight, but I was too deep in sleep to check them.  So, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Chapel of the Hills at JCRV

1-1-12:  Wow!! 2012!! Seems it was just yesterday that we were backing up our computers in preparation for Y2K.  LOL. David and I attended church this morning at the Chapel of the Hills here at the rv park. Tony is our preacher and it was a sweet service.  Not only is the building a replica of a "back in the day" church, but we sang some old, traditional hymns. And one thing that really caught my attention was how neat it was that people were coming from several directions WALKING to the little church on the river(creek). Almost a step back in time.

Big Boy at JCRV

Rocky and I went to feed Major this afternoon, but he was so engrossed in something on the ground that he didn't come over to us.  But Big Boy - a horse that joined the family after we left last year - obliged us and chowed down on the carrots we brought.

Sarah, David, and I went to see Warhorse today.  Really good movie.  Though not extremely intense, it's such a good story that I believe that will end up being one of those movies that is watched over and over through the generations like Old Yeller.  Loved it!

1-2-11:  FLAWLESS weather!  Blue sky, 50's, ever-so-gentle breeze.  While doing laundry at the clubhouse, I sat out in a rocker overlooking Johnson Creek and the nearby bluffs. Watched the squirrels having a hayday in the ivy and the Live Oak trees, the mega-giant catfish hanging out near the shore, and listened to the "music" of the grackles and the cascading water in Johnson Creek.  I love this place!  Even while doing laundry.

1-3-12:  Reunited with my Curves ladies this morning and David and I enjoyed Senior Day at Belk in Kerrville.  We ran into Ann in there!  She and her David stay at Fredricksburg.  They were at JCRV our first year here and we met them at Creede, CO a couple of summers ago.  She is one of my card peeps also.  And I cannot beat her!!

necktie scarf

no-sew tshirt infinity scarf

same one doubled up

Came home and made some scarves out of tshirts -- I saw them on Pinterest.com.  (see my craft blog at gettinmycraftson.blogspot.com)

1-4-12:  After a workout at Curves, I joined David and Rocky on a 50 minute walk on the backroads near JCRV.  All that exercise must have helped my brain because I finally won a card game later.  I beat David by 10,000 points!

donning my 3D glasses

1-5-12:  David and went to see TinTin in 3D.  Very cute movie.  Animated like Polar Express.  (how do they do that?).  I guess I'm going to have to start reading movie review better though.  About 5 minutes into it I realized this was not a movie about a German Shepherd (Rin Tin Tin?).  That was a little disappointing, but still cute.  TinTin is a little Mickey Rooney type journalist who solves mysteries.  He does have a dog, but it looks like a Schnauzer or some sort of Terrier.

Got a new phone tonite.  Finally - an iPhone 4.  Not the newest, 4S, just a regular, cheaper, 4.  But I now have Face Time. That's cool. And flash on my camera. So any of you who have a 4, we can Face Time (which I prefer to call Face Off for some reason). My iPhone was the 2nd oldest made. haha.  But it was good for about 3 or 4 years.  Just started getting way too slow for me. And Cranford has ridiculed me for 2 years over my old phone I was carrying.  I just wanted to wait for the price to come down.

1-6-12:  David was out for revenge in Pennies and beat me by 3000 tonite.  hmmm.  I tried Face Time for the first time with Cranford just before the game.  He had to be the first because my old iPhone was such an embarrassment to him.

James Goff warming up for his first Razorback Game - Cotton Bowl!

WOOOOOO! PIG SOOOOOIEEEE!   How about that Cotton Bowl tonite?  Hogs won 26-13 against Kansas State.  We have so many Kansas peeps who are K State fans.  We are def not K State haters.  And they played great.  Really good game.

WPS!!

But we were sure proud of our Hogs.  We won in spite of the announcers.

1-7-12:  David and I took the long way home from Kerrville today.  When we got to the spot near "Sheep Creek Rd" where the 2 big Longhorns live,  we saw a big herd of Axis grazing right along with the Longhorns.  Made us both laugh.  Sadly, we didn't have our camera.

Skyping with Justin and family

This afternoon we Skyped with Justin, Brooke, Andrew, and Asher.  Really fun! Tonight Crystal and I Face Offed. haha.  I guess with all this new technology, I'm going to have to be careful now about keeping my camper tidy and my hair done, right?  Nehhhhh!

1-8-12:  Church again at Chapel of the Hills.  Sweet worship service and a full house again. (Of course it only holds 20-40). Drizzly, damp day so we are catching up on computer work and watching the Axis from our windows.

Peggy figuring out her new scarf

her finished product

1-9-12:  The ladies here at JCRV had craft time this morning and made the tshirt scarves.  Had fun with Peggy, Marlene, Janet, and Sarah.  (gettinmycraftson.blogspot.com)

Mr Ken has his craft on!

Oh, and Mr. Ken modeled one for us. I think he's on board!
(Small world moment: Janet is from Hutch and Marlene is from the Sioux Falls area and grew up in a town near where Laura lives now.  She even knows the company Laura works for.)

Peggy, Janet, Shirlene, and Teacher doing the Sexy Step

We are ready for DWTS!!

1-10-12:  Left this morning at 8:30 (yep, A.M.) with Janet and Shirlene to meet Peggy at the Dietert Senior Center for some line dancing!    Tho it was a beginner's class, it was not easy!  Don't think I've done any line dancing since about, oh, 1976ish? That was the disco era.  This morning instead of disco, it was maybe Perry Como? And instead of a Saturday nite at the student center, it was Tues at the butt crack of dawn at the senior center!  Really was fun and I'll be going back!  (I could've hung with them if I could've gatored or something)

1-11-12:  They had a PWO (power workout) this morning at Curves.  I could hardly breath when I left there.  And the funny thing is, I didn't even do the PWO  - I just did my regular wo. I was worn out just from watching the PWO.  I reeeeeally need to get in shape.  David and I had fun with the resale shop circuit today.  Found some cool stuff that we just HAD to have.

They run in for the feeder which goes off at 5:19 each evening

This evening we watched and videotaped the deer running over when the feeder went off at 5:19.  So cool.  Some knew it was about time and just casually grazed near the feeder for about 30 min.  But when it went of, look out!  They came running from other fields and the woods.  Really thought Rocky would get excited.  He was so not interested in them!

Look what reappeared after a year

1-12-12:  Did some card recycling this morning under Peggy C's supervision.  I think I may start doing my Christmas cards that way. Oh and look what re-appeared this morning on the mantle!

RIP, Major

Sadly, today Major had to be put down.  I'd noticed wasn't quite as interested in our carrots as in previous years. Ken said yesterday he got on the ground and it took him and Tom both to get him back on his feet.  And that's happened about 4 times.  He was 36 years old. He and Rocky became fast friends about 3 winters ago. Every time we went over to feed him, Rocky would hurry to him and Major would "sing" to us.  Makes me so sad, but yet it's time.  Poor baby.

And this was just a normal conversation -- not even the "surprise'" part

Sarah's going away party at JCRV

Roses in one hand, birdseed in the other

Cliff:  Now You Listen to Me

Iowa Peeps, Jack and Shirlene

busted

We had Sarah's going away party at the clubhouse today under the pretense that she and I were going to play cards.  Found out later that Cliff let the cat out of the bag yesterday.  Oh well, still fun!

1-13-12:  FRIDAY, 13th. No bad luck here!  Enjoyed the potluck at the clubhouse tonite, where we met new friends Isy (pronounced Izzy)  and Cathy.

Knitting Circle: Dawn, Bec, and Marlene

They are untangling my yarn

1-14-12:  Dawn and Marlene taught me knitting this morning.  Bless their hearts.  Patient women!  Why did I wait this many years to learn how to do this?  Love it!

Making lotion at crafts in the clubhouse

Isy shared his knife

1-16-12:  Did crafts this morning at JCRV.  Taught the ladies to make hand cream.  Isy joined us long enough to cut the baby lotion containers open for us.

"Uncle Bruce" (Greg ) from TX

"Uncle Bruce"

Met a man who looks sooooo like my Uncle Bruce when younger.  Greg from TX. We should check the family tree!

Isy looking serious with that visor

Canadian Peeps, Howard and Louise

Cathy from S Dakota

Tonite we taught Isy/Cathy(from S Dakota) and Louise/Howard(from Canada) to play Panties.  They had no problem wearing visors!  Guys won big time.  We will make a comeback!

1-17-12:  Went to Line Dancing again.  So much fun!  I finished feeding my starter and baked it.  YUM! YUM! YUM!  Met with my "knitting circle".  Love knitting!  So relaxing.  Why didn't I learn how to do this years and years ago?

1-18-12:  We joined the LEO (Let's Eat Out) group from the rv park at Mamacitas today.  Then sat outside and knitted, fed the horses - and this time Sugar joined in.  Played Panties again tonite - the guys just barely won.  The girls are gaining momentum.

Linda Sue and Greg at The Apple Store in Medina

Medina's Apple and me

1-19-12:  Greg and Linda Sue arrived today.  So excited to have them for a couple of days.  They are staying in the Barn Apartment here at the rv park.  David drove us to Hunt, Lost Maples State Park, Medina  --  all on those great fm drives where we can see exotic animals.  Lots of antelope of various kinds, and something that looked like maybe a bighorn sheep?

Greg and Linda Sue

Went up to Lost Maples State Park.  So beautiful there.  We weren't prepared to hike, but found out some hiking info from the rangers there.

After leaving there we stopped in Medina and had lunch at The Apple Store.  Man, oh man!  Best burgers ever.  Homemade buns (mine was pepperjack bread and theirs was sourdough).  Linda Sue bought one of those gigantic apple pies to take home with us.

The "giraffe" at YO Ranch

As we drove past YO Ranch, we saw a GIRAFFE from a distance.  We knew they had them out there but had never seen one.  Backed up and took lots of pix.  When we got home and watched the pix on the tv, we were a tad disappointed in the giraffe.  LOL.

Buffalo at the drive thru processing place

Also watched what looked to be a buffalo being skinned and gutted?  Linda Sue really wanted a pic of this.  She wondered if that was morbid, but it didn't stop her.  haha.

Panties with Greg and Linda Sue, Howard and Louise

Played Panties tonite with Greg/Linda Sue and Howard/Louise.  Girls won!!

Enchanted Rock Entrance

1-20-12:  Greg, Linda Sue, David, and I went to Enchanted Rock State Park today after a yummy breakfast at Save Inn in Kerrville.  I've been wanting to hike this granite mountain since last year.  Finally getting to. As we headed to the mtn I looked at my phone and the time was 11:11.  Thought that was cool.  On the way up, I found a penny which I picked up for luck.

Linda Sue, Greg, David, and me on our way up

Wonderful views on Enchanted Rock

Linda Sue and Greg near the summit

View from the summit

The summit

David and me on top of Enchanted Rock

Ok, this was at the top. Where did these boulders come from? The sky?

Bec and Linda Sue heading back down

Linda Sue and me

 Fairly easy walk up tho I only had on tennis shoes -- forgot my hiking boots.  The views up there were awesome!!!  After hanging around we took a slow walk back down so we could soak in the sights.

Heading back down the rock

The trail at the bottom

Decided to take a "back" trail to end the day.  It was around 2 miles or so.  We climbed down the mtn, hiked through a very rocky trail.  As soon as I stepped on the level, flat trail, I slipped down.  My left ankle and knee each popped and down I went.  I sat a minute and decided I could walk.  David and Linda Sue helped me to my feet and I took off.  Down again!  My knee buckled -- guess it was blown out.

Graceful and ladylike with a blown out knee and sprained ankle

They helped me to a shady rock to sit on.  I had a feeling my ankle was broken cuz of the pain.  But I'd never felt anything like that knee.  No pain, just wouldn't hold me up.  We decided I was not gonna make it out of there on my feet.  Greg hiked back to the park office and sent for help.  In about an hour or less, a couple of EMT's walked up.  (I looked at my clock again and it was 1:11.  Is that weird or what?  The only 2 times I'd looked at the time today!) They'd been able to get their pickup up to about 100 yds of where we were.  And their "mule" a tad closer to us.  When they told me they were taking me part of the way with their mule, I got excited thinking I was gonna get to ride a mule.  But they told me it's an atv thingie. The first responder and Linda Sue hung on to me as I hobbled to the mule.

Riding the mule outa there

Then he drove me to the truck.  From there, the other EMT drove the 3 of us back to the office.  Greg was nowhere.  We were worried he had hiked back in.  I thought Linda Sue was going to head back in after him.  After a brief panic on her part, we saw him heading our way!  He'd been waiting on the gazebo.  Whew!

I insisted we stop at Sonic to eat in Fredricksburg before heading to the ER in Kerrville.  I wasn't in a lot of pain, but I WAS needing a Sonic sweet tea!

Greg and Linda Sue felt so bad about the booboo.  But I wouldn't have traded this day for anything.  Wonderful hike, awesome view, and very special hiking buddies!  Good times.

I prob wouldn't have slid down if I'd had my hiking boots on.  And I learned that a lucky penny means nothing. haha.

Enchanted Rock = ER

youchie! I just knew it was broken

Arrived at the ER.  IS IT ANY COINCIDENCE THAT THE INITIALS FOR ENCHANTED ROCK ARE ER??.  Xray's showed no break.  Yay!!  I do not need more broken bones.  But we will follow up with the ortho doc next week.

Tom, the owner, finally came home and visited us tonite.  I told him how much I struggle with the crutches they sent me home with and he said he had a walker he could loan me.  THAT I can do.

1-21-12:  Greg and Linda Sue left for Port Arthur.  We so enjoyed their visit.  David and I hobbled over to breakfast at the clubhouse.  Mr. Ken gave me a ride back in the golf cart, then brought me the walker. Yay.

My 5-sided dishrag

1-22-12:  Ummm, I finished knitting my first dishrag.  OMG!  Who knew they could have 5 sides?  Still love it.  I also make lotion, 4 coasters, and had our knitting circle outside at the camper today.  Decided I'd better try one more dishrag before taking on a scarf. Sarah came over for a visit. Even Rocky was glad to see her!

Coasters from JCRV craft day

1-23-11:  The JCRV ladies came over and we made coasters at our picnic table.  The weather was awesome and we had so much fun.  I got some great ideas from their creativity!  Special bunch! (see craft blog)

This afternoon I walked from one end of the rv park to the other with the walker.  Couldn't have done that yesterday.  Each day is better.

4 days later

1-24-12:  Ortho doc gave me some really good braces and said NO SURGERY!!!  Yay!  I don't have time for that. :)  Played Panties with Howard and Louise tonite.

Statue at the museum

1-25-12:  Visited the  Museum of Western Art in Kerrville today with about 15 folks from JCRV.  Very nice, small museum.  I was done in 15 minutes though.

1-27-12:  Knitting today.  Potluck tonite.  Life is good.

1-28-12:  Had breakfast this morning in Western Town at JCRV.  Our first event at WT.  Very nice!

Paul's ass - Penny.  And Louise and me

Penny.  Should we call her Panty?

1-29-12:  Janet and Bill from Hutch took Howard, Louise, and me to The Garrison Ranch near Medina to see Paul's ass. (mule).  I met Penny, the one I'm goint to ride Feb 11. Paul had a wonderful ranch house and lovely, friendly wife and daughters.

Hard to see, but that's a kangaroo between those trees

First string getting the hay

Fallow deer

On the ranch we saw Emus, Ostriches,  Fallow deer, Kangaroos (yep, you read that right), and his 15 or so mules.

Paul and Penny

Howard, Bill, and Penny

Penny and my friend, Louise

He entertained us by having a couple of them do tricks and we watch them push and kick each other while trying to get to the hay pile.

Penny with her oat bag

Coming in for their oats

cute!!

chowing down

He had cute little bags he slipped over one ear for them to eat their oats individually, without being bothered by the others.  His property is nestled among the hills and used to be occupied by an Apache tribe.  Their family finds lots of arrowheads after a rain.  They had some framed and a big basketful.

Ate supper at Old Spanish Trail (OST) in Bandera.  Yummy. On the way home, my northern friends questioned why so many folks call each other "Bubba" down here.  I explained that it's usually a term of endearment. Sometimes not so much.

Asher's pillowcase

Andrew's pillowcase

1-30-12:  Made pillowcase this morning during craft time under Marlene's leadership.  So nice!  I made one for each grandson. (see gettinmycraftson.blogspot.com)
Got back to Curves this afternoon.  Sooooo slow at it, but it felt great!  Panties tonite.

Mr Ken planking

He has a gift for this!

1-31-12:  David played golf with the JCRV guys, I worked out, cleaned house, knitted with Dawn and Marlene, and Ken planked.  Such is life in the rv world.

2-2-12:  Headed to the Apple Store for lunch Medina with our dear Canadian friends Howard and Louise, Panties peeps Isy and Cathy, and Knitting mentor and golf buddy Dawn and Ron.  D and R, I and C, beat us to the Apple Store and texted me to let me know it was closed.  So we decided to meet there anyway and decide where to go from there.  Well, our driver (David) turned left instead of right on 16 so we ended up in Bandera instead of Medina.  Luckily they were all good sports and 30 minutes later we were all together in Bandera at OST for lunch.  Great visit with everyone.  Afterwards, we visited a quilt shop and some resale shops there, as well as a leather shop. The leather shop was interesting because we watched a guy building a saddle.  One of the few saddlemakers left in this area.  He told us he learned by taking them apart and putting them back together again.  I said,  "Hey!  That's how I'm learning to knit!"

On the way back we went through Medina to visit the little quilt shop Louise had spotted on the  mule day.  It was great!  Prices were wonderful and now I'm so wanting a sewing machine!  The drive back down to Kerrville on 16 was beautiful as always!

2-3-12:  Gus brought Jean back to Kerrville today and spent tonite with us.  Loved having him here and wish he could've stayed more than one night.  We took him to potluck with us.  He asked me beforehand not to introduce him to everyone and I said ok.  But once we walked in, I couldn't resist.  He loved it and I believe it was his first potluck!  (other than a few family affairs).  He also got to see my pic up on the mantle.  Again, one of the perks of growing old is that it's our turn to embarrass our kids.

2-4-12:  We all got up about 5:30 to visit with Gus before he headed back.  He and I crack each other up!  Spent most of that hour or so laughing at each other.

Seriously, Mom?

Yet, he wanted it!  :)

 David showed him my 5-sided knitted washcloth.  He totally wanted it!  He said "Mom, you have to let me have that. I want to show all my friends!".  Isn't that sweet?  :)

Big Boy, Bec, and Rocky

The rest of today was a lazy day with some good knitting.  Not a lot of frogging or tinking. I might be catching on. Fed Big Boy.  He got all the carrots to himself.  Misty and Sugar were engrossed in the little bit of green grass that had popped out after the rain. Then Rocky went with David and me on a walk and carried his bone in his mouth and pranced the entire way.  He would not allow us to take it out of his mouth.  Cracked us up.

2-5-12:  Lovely worship service in the Chapel of the Hills today.  Wonderful message from Tony and great keyboarding with Sharon. Louise and I met this afternoon to cut fabric for tomorrow's craft.

Super Bowl party. I said "ya'll wave!" and this is what I got.  (Buffalo Ron cooperated)

Oh yeah. Super (yawn) Bowl

What a crew

The Super Bowl girls

Marlene from Sioux Falls

Tonite we had a Super Bowl party in Western Town.  Lots of knitting during the game and wonderful company!

The Birthday Boy

Janet and Bill from Hutch

Celebrated Bill's (from Hutch) 69th birthday while there.

Louise leading crafts

finished products

2-6-12:  This morning during crafts, Louise taught us how to do some cloth coasters that fit over the bottom of a stem glass.  12-15 ladies worked together to make about 70-71 for the Valentine's Dinner.  Some cut fabric, some pinned pieces together, some sewed around the edges, some trimmed and turned right side out, and some ironed.  We had it going on!!  It was like a factory off in there!  Good times! (see gettinmycraftson.blogspot.com)

Cathy and Isy playing Gitchies

Bill from Hutch filling in for Cathy

Did Isy just pick up the pile?!

My new lucky visor that Jerri sent me!

Played Panties tonite and the girls won again!  We rock!!  In honor of Canadian Louise, who calls panties "gitchie goo's", we will try calling this game Gitchies!

2-7-12:  David played golf today with the JCRV guys, and I played Panties with Sarah, Dee, and Ann at Sarah's new house.  So awesome being together again.  The 4 of us really bonded 3 winters ago while playing cards dang near every day! Miss those ladies.

Howard speeding through the Hill Country with us.  Of course, he's Canadian so this is km

The JCRV gang at The Apple Store in Medina, TX

We should try making faces next time

Crazy friends!  Glad I'm ok

2-8-12:  Went to Medina with Howard and Louise.  Met our other JCRV peeps there.  Best burger in the world and wonderful company!
After eating, visiting, and getting a beautiful apple pie for Mr. Ken, most of us went over to the Quilt Shop. I'd called Michele, the owner, a couple of days ago to see if she knew anyone who was selling used sewing machines.  It just happened SHE WAS!  So we went to get it and all the other ladies shopped fabric for the next craft.  Her little store may never have had that many people in it at once!  I highly recommend this shop if you are in the area.  Great fabric and great deals!

My "new" Janome

Love my new machine.  Entry level, only an hour or so use.  Easy to use!  And only $50.  Regularly, $150.

Crannie Planking!  

Got a planking pic from Crannie today!   Not sure how he got up there, but what a great prop!

Pie carrier.  My first project on my new machine

Ready to carry

2-9-12:  Spent most of the day sewing on my new machine!  Made a pie carrier.  Louise is going to teach us that one in crafts Monday.  I just wanted to see if I could pull it off on my own.  So I did this one (see craft blog for instructions)  I'm happy with it!  My stitches aren't straight.  So I cut out more fabric so I can do it Monday with Louise's guidance.

2-10-12:  The ladies and I decorated the clubhouse for Valentine's Day this afternoon.

Jack/Shirlene, Howard/Louise, David/me, and Mr Ken, emcee

Can you repeat the question?

Tonite we had the wonderful, traditional, V-Day Dinner at JCRV along with the Newlywed Game.  Howard/Louise, Jack/Shirlene, and David/me were the 3 couples in the game.  David and I won, but it was purely by luck.  Louise told the best story.  We really should've given her some of our points!

ya never know what you'll see in the hill country

they are wearing pig snouts.  kinda made us feel at home 

mule drawn wagon

I want one of these someday

flying pig?

just normal Texans

Stagecoach

maybe next year.........

are these horses beautiful or what?

2-11-12:  Yeeeeehaw!!!  The Bandera, TX Mardi Gras Parade today!  Great turnout and fun stuff to watch.  Bandera is The Cowboy Capital so it was cowboy mardi gras.

Marlene, Bec, Cindy

Me and my ass, Penny aka Panty aka Gitchie

Bill checking out his wife's ass

Facing off

Janet and Cimmeron

Janet giving me some instruction

Penny and Becky

Janet from Hutch, KS

A constable rode with us -- not sure if it was for our protection or the mules'

I love a parade!

Paul, the owner, behind us

Still on our asses

Not sure why this makes me laugh

Is Penny going to sleep?

I rode a mule in it. As a former SAU Mulerider, I couldn't resist. My new friend Janet from KS hooked me up with Paul and his ass.  Glad I did it -- had a blast! And how awesome to see SO MANY of our JCRV peeps at the parade!!  So cool when someone we knew would holler at us as we rode by.  But I was def ready to get off of it. 2 of the mules I was with (including the owner's) were easily spooked by the sounds and sights of feathers, beads, motorcycles, other horses, etc.  So watching them struggle with theirs kinda scared me. So no more parade muleriding for me.  But very thankful for the memory! (maybe next year the camel or longhorn?)

David doing some serious counting

Isy, where are you?

Howard, Louise, Isy, Cathy, Becky, David

Tonite Howard, Louise, David and I played our final game of Panties with Isy and Cathy.  They are heading out in the morning.  We sure will miss them, but hope to see them again in Branson.  Bye, ya'll!!

Eating snowflakes at JCRV

Snow and sleet between us and the chapel

David in the snow at Cracker Barrel

2-12-12:  Snow and Sleet in the Hill Country!

We've decided to stay in the Hill Country til the end of March instead of heading west.  David hooked us up with a workamping job at Table Rock beginning May 1.  He's amazing.  I've been applying and making calls.

Feeling pretty smug.  My hero!

He sends out ONE paragraph -- not even an app -- and they call us right up.  He says it must be my accent keeping me from getting any of those jobs I've applied for.  Hmmmm, I don't know how they can hear that in an app.  Oh well, very excited for the experience!

More after wildflower season!  Much love to you all!

```Becky and her "ass"  (just kidding -- LOVE my David!)

Rocky has trouble relaxing