Message from our Vicky "Hola" and she misses us. Made our day!
from yesterday
We miss her too!
Message from afar
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Ken and Vickey went to Mexico yesterday to carry on the work of Sr. Maureen while she is recovering from her double knee surgery, they also look after their own sponsor's kids while they are there.
Message from our Vicky "Hola" and she misses us. Made our day!
from yesterday
We miss her too!
Message from our Vicky "Hola" and she misses us. Made our day!
from yesterday
We miss her too!
Now that we're home
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Still tired after the long drive, but I find it's normal to be tired for about three days or so after getting home.
Still some minor unpacking to do in terms of putting things away.
I will only be making a post once in a while whenever I manage to get info on how Sister Maureen's rehab from her knee surgery is going, and/or if I have any information on "Our little Vicky".
We will be sending a package for Vicky's birthday which is on September 7...she will be 5.
Thanks to all who encouraged me to keep writing the blog this year...hope you have enjoyed reading it, as much I have enjoyed writing it for you.
more later....
Still some minor unpacking to do in terms of putting things away.
I will only be making a post once in a while whenever I manage to get info on how Sister Maureen's rehab from her knee surgery is going, and/or if I have any information on "Our little Vicky".
We will be sending a package for Vicky's birthday which is on September 7...she will be 5.
Thanks to all who encouraged me to keep writing the blog this year...hope you have enjoyed reading it, as much I have enjoyed writing it for you.
more later....
Update on Sister Maureen
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Got an email from Vickey, who said that Sister Maureen's double knee replacement went very well.
[quote]She was back in her hospital room around 8:30 in the evening on Thursday. She had already had 4 and a half hours of exercise. Saturday she had 4 hours of therapy. Today she got to sit in the lounge chair and have the machines massage her feet. She is hoping to be moved to the re-hab facility tomorrow or Tuesday. We will let you know when she is moved and how she is doing. [/quote]
Vickey said they will be going to Mexico soon and will visit our Vicky and her family and tell her how much we miss her.
[quote]She was back in her hospital room around 8:30 in the evening on Thursday. She had already had 4 and a half hours of exercise. Saturday she had 4 hours of therapy. Today she got to sit in the lounge chair and have the machines massage her feet. She is hoping to be moved to the re-hab facility tomorrow or Tuesday. We will let you know when she is moved and how she is doing. [/quote]
Vickey said they will be going to Mexico soon and will visit our Vicky and her family and tell her how much we miss her.
Back home now
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Had breakfast then left Omaha at 8:30. Good driving conditions. We stopped for a break just south of Fargo at a Casino which is adjacent to the highway. Katie won $4 but I won $15...YES...finally...
We didn't stay long, and the rest of the 10 hour drive was uneventful...until...WE REACHED THE BORDER!!!!
We got to the border at approx 6PM. I didn't expect there would be much of a lineup on a Saturday night, and was one of the reasons we planned on getting there on Saturday or Sunday morning to avoid all the Winnipegers coming back from Grand Forks and Fargo. WRONG!!!!
There was a single lane lineup over a mile long and moving forward like a snail. After we had been in the lineup for 25 minutes and could still not see the building.
There are two lanes...one for trucks and one for cars. Now this alone gets me wondering...why do trucks get special treatment? We are in line for 25 minutes and they come shooting down the other lane and get to go right through.
Now a van comes down the truck lane, the driver having obviously not read the sign..trucks only...or simply didn't care. What happened to him? have no idea...the line was so long, impossible to see what happens at the front.
Later on an SUV with Alberta plates comes down the truck lane bypassing all of us waiting in line. By this time we had moved up slightly, so I could after awhile see the this car in a parking lot off to the side. But then, the driver and passenger came out of the parking lot, managed to convince someone to let them so through the bumper to bumper waiting line, and this SUV then went into the truck lane right at the kiosk. There was lots of discussion there with border guard, but they were allowed to proceed. This is ridiculous that someone can come down the truck lane and bypass everyone waiting in line for a long time.
Shortly after a girl driving a vehicle and another vehicle who obviously just followed what she was doing like a sheep, came down the truck lane. She then realized that this was not a good thing and she had messed up. She stopped a few cars behind us in the truck lane and had conversation with those in line behind us. She was actually blocking the truck lane. Then a truck came...we have now been in line for about 45 minutes, and he manages to get around her and the other car. She then managed to convince someone to let her into the line...by this time cutting in front of approximately over a mile of waiting vehicles. I am sure they were not happy!!!!
We were right behind a truck who had about 15 two by fours in the back, who must have thought he got a better deal at Menard's in Grand Forks. When we got to the no tax pick up area, he pulled out of the line, in front of the trailer, got his booze and/or cigarettes, pulled out of this semi circle, got in line again, and in this process skipped ahead of six vehicles in front of us.
This whole scenario needs to be seriously looked at and redesigned.
First they need a big overhead flashing sign like the US highway Amber Alert signs which indicate "Trucks ONLY...cars prohibited" or something similar...or...design 6 lanes so the single lane lineup does not extend miles back...trucks go in one of these lanes same as everyone else.
They need to re-route lane jumpers back to the end of the line where they belong. I have seem them do this in the past, but they did not appear to do that this time. In the past they made runners come out from the no tax pickup so the vehicle remained in the long lineup. Don't do this anymore either, so those getting booze get an advantage.
At least they had six lanes open at the front, and we finally got there after an hour...then we got to talk to someone who looked like a 12 year old...lol...when he asked me how far I went in Texas...I said Pharr....he looked very puzzled and slightly annoyed...and finally asked if that was a place...I laughed and said yes. Next time I will say San Juan or McAllen...anything but Pharr.
I felt sorry for one guy...he was in line so long he had car trouble...so he had to pull out of the line...I would not want to be him...he would have to find someway to fix it or call a tow truck because he would not be able to wait another 45 minutes or so to get to the front.
Lesson learned...don't come back at 6PM on Saturday...when it would seem those who go to Grand Forks for the day are all coming back. Can't imagine what it is going to be like on Sunday.
Another issue is that Customs closed the Border Crossing at Noyes, which is just around the corner and could seriously reduce the lineups...but they obviously don't care about Canadians trying to get back into their own Country in a timely manner.
That's my rant for today...but it's all ok...why?...because we're home now safe and sound but very tired. Good thing is...Katie has three days before she has to go back to work.
more later....
We didn't stay long, and the rest of the 10 hour drive was uneventful...until...WE REACHED THE BORDER!!!!
We got to the border at approx 6PM. I didn't expect there would be much of a lineup on a Saturday night, and was one of the reasons we planned on getting there on Saturday or Sunday morning to avoid all the Winnipegers coming back from Grand Forks and Fargo. WRONG!!!!
There was a single lane lineup over a mile long and moving forward like a snail. After we had been in the lineup for 25 minutes and could still not see the building.
There are two lanes...one for trucks and one for cars. Now this alone gets me wondering...why do trucks get special treatment? We are in line for 25 minutes and they come shooting down the other lane and get to go right through.
Now a van comes down the truck lane, the driver having obviously not read the sign..trucks only...or simply didn't care. What happened to him? have no idea...the line was so long, impossible to see what happens at the front.
Later on an SUV with Alberta plates comes down the truck lane bypassing all of us waiting in line. By this time we had moved up slightly, so I could after awhile see the this car in a parking lot off to the side. But then, the driver and passenger came out of the parking lot, managed to convince someone to let them so through the bumper to bumper waiting line, and this SUV then went into the truck lane right at the kiosk. There was lots of discussion there with border guard, but they were allowed to proceed. This is ridiculous that someone can come down the truck lane and bypass everyone waiting in line for a long time.
Shortly after a girl driving a vehicle and another vehicle who obviously just followed what she was doing like a sheep, came down the truck lane. She then realized that this was not a good thing and she had messed up. She stopped a few cars behind us in the truck lane and had conversation with those in line behind us. She was actually blocking the truck lane. Then a truck came...we have now been in line for about 45 minutes, and he manages to get around her and the other car. She then managed to convince someone to let her into the line...by this time cutting in front of approximately over a mile of waiting vehicles. I am sure they were not happy!!!!
We were right behind a truck who had about 15 two by fours in the back, who must have thought he got a better deal at Menard's in Grand Forks. When we got to the no tax pick up area, he pulled out of the line, in front of the trailer, got his booze and/or cigarettes, pulled out of this semi circle, got in line again, and in this process skipped ahead of six vehicles in front of us.
This whole scenario needs to be seriously looked at and redesigned.
First they need a big overhead flashing sign like the US highway Amber Alert signs which indicate "Trucks ONLY...cars prohibited" or something similar...or...design 6 lanes so the single lane lineup does not extend miles back...trucks go in one of these lanes same as everyone else.
They need to re-route lane jumpers back to the end of the line where they belong. I have seem them do this in the past, but they did not appear to do that this time. In the past they made runners come out from the no tax pickup so the vehicle remained in the long lineup. Don't do this anymore either, so those getting booze get an advantage.
At least they had six lanes open at the front, and we finally got there after an hour...then we got to talk to someone who looked like a 12 year old...lol...when he asked me how far I went in Texas...I said Pharr....he looked very puzzled and slightly annoyed...and finally asked if that was a place...I laughed and said yes. Next time I will say San Juan or McAllen...anything but Pharr.
I felt sorry for one guy...he was in line so long he had car trouble...so he had to pull out of the line...I would not want to be him...he would have to find someway to fix it or call a tow truck because he would not be able to wait another 45 minutes or so to get to the front.
Lesson learned...don't come back at 6PM on Saturday...when it would seem those who go to Grand Forks for the day are all coming back. Can't imagine what it is going to be like on Sunday.
Another issue is that Customs closed the Border Crossing at Noyes, which is just around the corner and could seriously reduce the lineups...but they obviously don't care about Canadians trying to get back into their own Country in a timely manner.
That's my rant for today...but it's all ok...why?...because we're home now safe and sound but very tired. Good thing is...Katie has three days before she has to go back to work.
more later....
The last 10 hours
Saturday, April 2, 2011
We went to the casinos across the river in Council Bluffs last night. The first one was Ameristar...the place was absolutely packed...very hard to move around and virtually every machine making them a lot of money.
We didn't like it much and moved on to the Horseshoe...much much better...lots of room to move...the only bad thing about all these casinos is the smoke...I know it's not true of course, but it seems like...every person who goes to these casinos...smokes! Will be glad to get back home to smokeless casinos.
I did my usual losing thing...but Katie did her usual winning thing and we ended up net $176.
10 hours to go now...so we're up and gathering our things. This hotel has a Perkins attached to it and they give you 10 percent off in lieu of continental breakfast at the hotel. So after getting our stuff ready we will head downstairs to Perkins for breakfast.
Then it's an easy drive home in terms of traffic etc.
It was a great trip and thoroughly enjoyable, but it was also be great to be home.
more later...
We didn't like it much and moved on to the Horseshoe...much much better...lots of room to move...the only bad thing about all these casinos is the smoke...I know it's not true of course, but it seems like...every person who goes to these casinos...smokes! Will be glad to get back home to smokeless casinos.
I did my usual losing thing...but Katie did her usual winning thing and we ended up net $176.
10 hours to go now...so we're up and gathering our things. This hotel has a Perkins attached to it and they give you 10 percent off in lieu of continental breakfast at the hotel. So after getting our stuff ready we will head downstairs to Perkins for breakfast.
Then it's an easy drive home in terms of traffic etc.
It was a great trip and thoroughly enjoyable, but it was also be great to be home.
more later...
On the road again....North
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Yesterday we did some packing and were invited to Larry and Shirley's...(we just met them this year and they are part of the Sunday morning golf group)...for happy hour. We met three new couples, and we had a great time. There were plenty of laughs and good conversation.
Shirley did a great job, and had delicious pork buns, salad, and either chocolate pie or coconut pie for dessert. Another inch added to the waist line...ouch.
Because we were having a good time we stayed longer than we intended...so when we got back home we didn't get all the packing finished.
Got up at 6 this morning...thought it might take an hour to finish packing and close up the trailer...Wrong! took 2 hours. Oh well..we said to heck with it, let's stop for breakfast anyway as we had no food.
Ken and Vickey dropped by yesterday as we had a card and a plant they said they would give to Sister Maureen, as she is getting both her knees replaced today. Sure hope everything goes well and she is not laid up too long. We learned that Ken and Vickey through their church look after 30 sponsors, while Sister Maureen looks after 300...good thing she has a mind like a steel trap...imagine trying to keep all that straight, but she does it...and does a fantastic job.
We gave Ken and Vickey a lot of our left over foodstuffs that we were not going to use, they took it gladly and will distribute it in Mexico. They had an appointment so could not stay, then it was time for hugs and goodbyes for us until next year. We promised to keep in touch by email.
So we went for breakfast, stopped to get gas at Sam's Club...$1.31, then off we went at exactly 8:30.
We decided to take a different route because it was Thursday and we usually try to travel on the weekend when there is less traffic. This route was vigorously promoted by the late Doug Summers who made the trip to the Valley for 25 years. He would be happy I finally tried it...God rest his soul.
Guess what?...we liked it, even though you have to slow down for some towns and parts of the route are two lane...you miss all the traffic at San Antonio and Austin...it comes out at Waco. The road was not too busy at all, and the highway is good. As promised by Doug, it is definitely more scenic than the other route which we normally take. It makes for a very relaxing and stress free trip.
We ran into a 15 minute delay after leaving Waco around Fort Worth but that was to be expected as we were there around 5PM. The Tomtom GPS live function warned us well in advance and kept us posted on the delay. It was very accurate. We just decided that delays or not, it just didn't matter.
We went to our favorite hotel in Denton, Tx, just on the other side of Fort Worth...ahhh...such luxury for such a reasonable price. This is a Best Western Premiere, their top of the line. Got here about 6:30, so not feeling so rushed as getting to somewhere further...later.
Tomorrow we booked the same hotel in Omaha that we had on the way down. The manager sent an email after I filled out a survey after our stay, and said because things were not up to snuff, she would be pleased to offer us 50% off our next stay. So now the price tomorrow is $44...unreal!
We will make it there after an approx 9 or 10 hour drive. Then we plan to hit the casinos in Council Bluffs across the river for awhile.
Then on Saturday it's a ten hour drive to Winnipeg. I like breaking up the drive into 9 or 10 hour segments...used to do 13 hours or so, but this is better.
So soon it will be off to sleep in this extremely comfortable bed...beautiful day here today.
more later....
Shirley did a great job, and had delicious pork buns, salad, and either chocolate pie or coconut pie for dessert. Another inch added to the waist line...ouch.
Because we were having a good time we stayed longer than we intended...so when we got back home we didn't get all the packing finished.
Got up at 6 this morning...thought it might take an hour to finish packing and close up the trailer...Wrong! took 2 hours. Oh well..we said to heck with it, let's stop for breakfast anyway as we had no food.
Ken and Vickey dropped by yesterday as we had a card and a plant they said they would give to Sister Maureen, as she is getting both her knees replaced today. Sure hope everything goes well and she is not laid up too long. We learned that Ken and Vickey through their church look after 30 sponsors, while Sister Maureen looks after 300...good thing she has a mind like a steel trap...imagine trying to keep all that straight, but she does it...and does a fantastic job.
We gave Ken and Vickey a lot of our left over foodstuffs that we were not going to use, they took it gladly and will distribute it in Mexico. They had an appointment so could not stay, then it was time for hugs and goodbyes for us until next year. We promised to keep in touch by email.
So we went for breakfast, stopped to get gas at Sam's Club...$1.31, then off we went at exactly 8:30.
We decided to take a different route because it was Thursday and we usually try to travel on the weekend when there is less traffic. This route was vigorously promoted by the late Doug Summers who made the trip to the Valley for 25 years. He would be happy I finally tried it...God rest his soul.
Guess what?...we liked it, even though you have to slow down for some towns and parts of the route are two lane...you miss all the traffic at San Antonio and Austin...it comes out at Waco. The road was not too busy at all, and the highway is good. As promised by Doug, it is definitely more scenic than the other route which we normally take. It makes for a very relaxing and stress free trip.
We ran into a 15 minute delay after leaving Waco around Fort Worth but that was to be expected as we were there around 5PM. The Tomtom GPS live function warned us well in advance and kept us posted on the delay. It was very accurate. We just decided that delays or not, it just didn't matter.
We went to our favorite hotel in Denton, Tx, just on the other side of Fort Worth...ahhh...such luxury for such a reasonable price. This is a Best Western Premiere, their top of the line. Got here about 6:30, so not feeling so rushed as getting to somewhere further...later.
Tomorrow we booked the same hotel in Omaha that we had on the way down. The manager sent an email after I filled out a survey after our stay, and said because things were not up to snuff, she would be pleased to offer us 50% off our next stay. So now the price tomorrow is $44...unreal!
We will make it there after an approx 9 or 10 hour drive. Then we plan to hit the casinos in Council Bluffs across the river for awhile.
Then on Saturday it's a ten hour drive to Winnipeg. I like breaking up the drive into 9 or 10 hour segments...used to do 13 hours or so, but this is better.
So soon it will be off to sleep in this extremely comfortable bed...beautiful day here today.
more later....
Brrrrrr....plus packing day
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
It was quite chilly this morning around 55 or 60...I know I know...most of you that I know still have snow.
We decided that we will leave tomorrow so that Katie has an extra day at home before she goes back to work.
Katie and I went to South Padre yesterday and had a good day...it was cooler than the 90 or so that it was here so was really nice. We went to Dirty Al's for lunch...we are going to have to do some serious diet changes when we get home.
This is lunch...hardly and calories or fat...Not!
Then on to the Beach....
Some advertise everyware...being pulled by a circling plane
Neighbor on the beach
On the way back this attracted our attention but once inside most items in this huge place were overpriced...
Beautiful coral in this store
Then it was time for supper, a visit with Bob and Judy who dropped by, then some washing, a trip over to see Remi and Dana who were leaving Wednesday and a promise to get together in Winnipeg.
And so ended another great day in the valley
We decided that we will leave tomorrow so that Katie has an extra day at home before she goes back to work.
Katie and I went to South Padre yesterday and had a good day...it was cooler than the 90 or so that it was here so was really nice. We went to Dirty Al's for lunch...we are going to have to do some serious diet changes when we get home.
This is lunch...hardly and calories or fat...Not!
Then on to the Beach....
Some advertise everyware...being pulled by a circling plane
Neighbor on the beach
On the way back this attracted our attention but once inside most items in this huge place were overpriced...
Beautiful coral in this store
Then it was time for supper, a visit with Bob and Judy who dropped by, then some washing, a trip over to see Remi and Dana who were leaving Wednesday and a promise to get together in Winnipeg.
And so ended another great day in the valley
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