Mardi Gras!

A busy week so far......hard to keep up with the social calendar!
A group of us walked across the border on Monday to a bar called "Garcia's." They have Mexican dancers on Monday and Wednesday nights. $11 a couple (plus tips) buys tickets to the show and all the margaritas you can drink - we definitely got our money's worth! Next time we need to remember that we have to walk back across the border to get home!
Tuesday night was the "Michigan Potluck" - everyone from Michigan brings a passing dish and gets to know other Michiganders.
Today was the Mardi Gras parade and dinner. Never a dull moment! Notice how everything centers around eating and drinking!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

We explored a new Texas State Park this morning. Resaca De La Palma SP opened 2 months ago here in Brownsville. It is predominantly a birding area - no camping or picnicking. We rode our bikes around and enjoyed the exercise. A beautiful morning - not as windy as usual. In the 80's this afternoon - we turned the AC on and went to the pool!
Roger has been busy working on some of his "projects" for the motorhome this week. I have been having fun preparing income tax data for the accountant.
We played Euchre at the clubhouse last night - an every other Friday night event - there were 8 tables. Everyone pays $5 to play and the winner got $75! We were no where close to prize money but had fun!
Going to pass on the SweetHeart Dance tonight - stay home, grill some salmon and have a quiet evening with Dave & Marion.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kyle has been offered a promotion and a chance to work in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for 2-3 yrs. He & Heather went there last week, while we watched Samantha & Emily, to check everything out and see if it was a desirable place to live and raise the girls. They came back excited about the city and the opportunity to live abroad. The financial aspects make it hard for a young family to say "no" - they pay all the housing expenses, school expenses, and provide a car plus all the moving costs to and from. Heather will be able to stay home with the girls and probably do some part-time consulting for Laura Mercier once they get settled. Tentative plans are to leave the middle of June.
Although we are very proud of Kyle and thankful that Heather won't be working full-time, we are devastated thinking of them and our precious granddaughters being 10,000miles and 24 hours of travel time away from us. We are concerned about Americans in a predominantly Muslim country and the fact that the girls, especially Emily, are so young. But.....Heather & Kyle have weighed all the pros and cons and feel it is the right thing for them to do and we trust their judgement.
Life sure throws us some challenges - all we can do is support their decision and make the most of the time we spend with them before they leave. Roger says "we are calling in sick on good-bye day!"

Granddaughters in Brownsville

We came home from the cruise on Sunday, February 1, picked up Samantha & Emily and drove them to San Antonio/Brownsville for a week while Heather accompanied Kyle on a business trip. The week is a "blur" but we had a fun time with them. Samantha (3yrs) says the funniest things and Emily (3mn's)is the sweetest - smiles & coos all the time! We went to the zoo, the beach, rode on the carousel, played at the park, went swimming and generally dropped everything to entertain them. They charmed all the neighbors - who miss their own grandchildren. We flew from Harlingen to Houston Hobby airport yesterday and Heather met us - Samantha was totally nonchalant about flying, not the least bit scared and Emily slept through it all! We turned around and took the next flight back the Harlingen, drove to Brownsville, ate dinner and went to bed!!!!!
Funny Samantha story - I was tucking her into bed one night and she asked me to "pat her back and sing a song" - I asked her what song she wanted me to sing and she thought a minute and said "Mary Had A Little Lamb, Sunshine, and Who Let the Dogs Out!"

Carribean Cruise

We went on a week long Royal Caribbean cruise with several couples from our RV camping group - the "Boomers" - had a great time. Departed from Galveston and stopped in Cozumel & Costa Maya, Mexico and Roaton, Honduras. We toured the Mayan ruins in Tulum, went snorkeling, and generally relaxed. The Voyager of the Seas is a relatively new ship with a Promenade deck in the center; an ice skating rink; virtual golf; and all the amenities anyone could want. Good food, good drinks, good friends = a good time!
Retirement is tough!!!!