Hmmmm......when I came downstairs this morning about 7:15 it seemed a bit dark...usually the bright sun is popping up over the palm trees about that time, but.......after raising a shade, I realized that it was very cloudy.....with THICK clouds. Couldn't quite get this through my foggy mind....as it was supposed to be a beautiful day. Trying to be as quiet as possible, I got my coffee maker dripping that great Starbucks French Roast......and very soon, that wonderful aroma was filling the kitchen and on into the den.
I sat and enjoyed my coffee, read a few newspapers, and then I remembered: TRASH DAY!!! Soooo, I quickly slipped on a t-shirt and flip-flops and padded around outside carrying two large leaf bags full of trash out to the curb........sure the neighbors enjoyed the green and blue plaid flannel sleeping pants I was wearing!!!
Returning inside......decided it would be better if I finished my coffee inside so as to not invite inquiries as to my new "pants" from the neighbors/friends......the 1st Lady was soon awake and after she got herself ready for the morning's plans, I took my turn in the bathroom with the morning rituals.
I called Jeremy this morning about my "ticket" to the Inaugural ceremonies on the 20th and with the very, very tight security that is already in place in Washington, I learned that those much sought-after tickets were not going to be given out until January 19th......my day of travel by plane and train to D.C.!!!!!! And.....you have to be there to sign for them with the proper ID.....again, security restrictions so that fake tickets cannot be printed and sold. Hmmmm.......I told Jeremy that with that problem I wouldn't be able to get mine since I do not arrive in D.C. until 8:30pm on that day/night before the inaugural!!!!! Sooooo, he told me he would call me back after he called Washington to see what he could get worked out......
Tomorrow I must get my box packed to ship some clothes to my friend in Annandale, VA....about 12 miles from the Mall in D.C. As I have already written, I cannot take any luggage, bags, etc into the secured area where those with tickets will be standing........so, in order to have fresh clothes for later on the day of the Inaugural and the next two days, I am going to Fed Ex them.
A bit after 11 this morning, we hopped into the truck of Buzz and Moe......Pete and Jane followed in theirs....and we drove over to Donna to "dine" at Gonzales' Hamburgers. This is one of our favorite little "mom and pop" cafes here in the RGV. I have written about this place a couple of times before.......it has no sign, you have to hear about it by "word of mouth" or online....... The owner grinds the beef into hamburger each morning and then when he runs out of hamburger he closes the cafe for the day.......or, the latest is the door locks at 2pm. And......the line is LONG, LONG, LONG each day to get hamburgers ordered up at the counter.
The menu is very limited: hamburgers/cheeseburgers, french fries, onion rings, and soft drinks. Yep! That's the menu!!! We ordered....and 30 minute later our names were called.....that tells you how very busy they were!!! We sat outside under the patio roof and really enjoyed this MONSTER BURGERS!!!! They are sooooooo huge......when the go on the grill, they are about as big as a dinner plate........I'm telling the damned truth!!!! They are HUGE!!!! And....they are really, really great!!!! Obviously, the litte cafe has seating family style.....long tables where you find a folding chair and gorge yourself on these meaty, tasty, burgers..........eat your heart out guys, because there is nothing quite like these freshly ground burgers!!!!! WOW!
Leaving Gonzales', we drove back east to Mercedes to the Fairgrounds........with the RGV RV Show as our destination. Spending the next three hours there, we went in and saw many, many new RV's......and, you know......we didn't find any that we like better than our HowserHouse!!! Yep.......we are totally satisfied with our home-on-wheels!!!!! And.....when I look at the prices of the new ones, I REALLY know that we like ours best.
We returned to the Resort.......and just kicked back and put our feet up for a bit of time. Later, the 1st Lady decided to hit the gym for her hour of using the machines, attempting to maintain her youth(??), and stay in shape. The gym here at the resort is stocked with the most up-to-date exercise machines of all kinds..........there is always a trainer there to oversee your activities.....and you keep a record on file of each visit and the accomplishments you have reached during that session.
We actually didn't fix any meal tonight as we are still stuffed with the hamburger/onion rings from lunch........and that tells you quite plainly just how huge those burgers are/were.
This evening......OMG.....the full(?) moon is gorgeous, the winds have settled down to a bit more than just breezes, and the air that is moving through the palm trees is soft, warm, and damp.......very tropical feeling. I sat outside enjoying all of this wonderful life here for awhile......just soaking up the warmth, the moon, and this entire ambience and environment!
Yep......we are very lucky to be able to live in this manner since we spent our lives teaching in Missouri/Misery where educator's salaries are not....definitely NOT...known for being very high. However......the MO Teacher's Retirement is really quite good......and we can be thankful for that!!! And so, we continue to enjoy our evolving and aging Lives........and I would certainly say that everyone should give this a try.........it is hard to beat this!
LIFE IS SOOOOO INCREDIBLY GREAT!!!!!......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
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