Two days of gambling and free food produced a net total of $1,600 in winnings, all done by Katie I might add.
Katie's birthday was on Sunday, so see got some extra comps.
Horseshoe also owned by Harrah's had a giveaway on Sunday of two free king size not the real thing comforters from 2:30 to 6:00. We qualified for those as well, but prior to 2:30 the line started and in no time was very lengthy. It became so lengthy that it stretched around the whole casino. Katie and I looked at each other and said "no way". Katie said she could have got in line when it first formed and then called me on the walkie talkie, but she still had to wait in a long line and to make matters worse wait until 2:30. Just not worth it when we didn't need them anyway. The people in line must have been sleeping with no covers.
We watched the Jets game on Sunday night...bummer...but considering all the flights they had to take over two days, and the fact it was in Minnesota...understandable for me...I thought that was going to happen.
I forgot to mention about the drive...Love how our 2015 Rav 4 rides on the highway, but not so in love with the seats on a long drive. The seats have beveled edges which our 2010 did not have. It seems one is constantly moving because of undue pressure on our butts. So Katie and I went on a search for some kind of cushion, to cushion the blow so to speak. We found a couple of good size and pretty firm outdoor furniture cushions and we had measured to make sure they covered the whole seat. Wow...what a difference! no more squirming on the long drive, one of the best purchases we have made. We will only use them on long drives, but are they good for that!
Monday morning we got away from the hotel around 8, but stopped in Sioux City at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, we were curious what it looked like. It was quite big, well decorated, and overall a very nice place. We decided to join the rewards club, so we each got $10 in free play and Katie an extra $10 because of her birthday month. If you played for one hour you each got a free Hard Rock T Shirt. So we did...Katie saving my bacon again, and got our T Shirts. This would be a great place to stay if the Interstate got closed down again for storms.
The rest of the drive was uneventful, the roads were great all the way. We checked before we left. Evidence of the storm, but roads clear and dry.
We got home about 8PM...grabbed some groceries and did some unpacking from our totally loaded vehicle. A lot of weight in there, and not just from the two of us.
Tired...but thankful for a safe trip, and the best partner one could have.
And so ends another great trip to the Valley and back
Closed up the trailer and got on the road around 7:30 AM. We are taking an alternate road home which bypasses all the major cities except for San Antonio.
Going through San Antonio was good, not too busy and pretty easy. After that it was really smooth sailing, mostly two lane roads but lots of passing lanes, and some 4 lane. Even slowing down for small towns was not a big deal. This is a no stress drive as opposed to driving through Fort Worth and Waco which almost always seems to get backed up.
On Friday we also bypassed Oklahoma City and after that easy driving as always. I would definitely take this route again, both coming and going. Just avoiding the traffic in Fort Worth is worth it.
We got lucky and missed all the storms which seemed to be to the West of us and behind us. Some very severe, but for us the drive was great and we arrived at Harrah's in Council Bluffs just after 4PM, an 8 hour actual drive.
Got checked into our room, we were hoping for a suite but they were all gone. Doesn't really matter that much as the rooms are great anyway.
Used our free spins and had the buffet with second one free, and made $100 for a couple of hours. Came back to the Hotel and I had to do all sorts of tricks to get the Jets Game. Caught the end of the 1st and the rest of the game. There was the odd pause, but it was good anyway, and the result and the game itself was awesome!
Then we went back downstairs to the Casino even though we were tired from the drives...but luck smiled upon us and we made another $180. So for little time gambling up $280..pretty good and thanks to Harrah's for the free rooms. Katie got $40 in points as it is her birthday on Sunday. We also get a free quilt each on Sunday.
We don't want to feel pressured during the packing process, so we are just taking our time and getting organized.
We are leaving Thursday morning at whatever time we wake up, and then we are taking a different route home which basically bypasses all the big cities except for San Antonio. Fair amount of two lane highways, but we are told they are not very busy. We'll see. So this time it is more about enjoying the drive, instead of go fast with lots of traffic.
We will be in a place called Lawton Oklahoma tomorrow night and we have a hotel booked which can be cancelled up to 4 PM without penalty. I always try and book those kind in case a bad storm arises, car trouble etc. and we can't make it.
Temperature has been nice the last couple of days, quite a bit of rain yesterday. Calling for 100 degree temperatures on Friday...not for me thanks.
Katie and I walked over the bridge and got picked up at the corner by our friend Charely. When we went shopping the other day, Katie bought a mortar and pestle, so she can grind some spices she got from her friend Durga. Charely took us to her mom's store so her mom could look at the mortar to see if it was real or made from some composite. Good news, it is real and it was nice to meet her mom.
Then we went to visit the family. Karelly had just got back from Monterrey with her grandmother on the bus. She had to get up very early so she was tired.
The family already had signs on the wall, they always celebrate Katie's birthday on April 15th and mine but not until July.
Great hugs from everyone.
After awhile they made dinner for us and they had a traditional mexican cake with our names on it.
Charely and her sister Dulce did their usual great job of translating for us. We just love them too, they are so considerate.
After dinner, we loaded all the pictures and videos that Katie took at the Quince onto a laptop. Karelly started to relive her Quince again. The computer was slow so it kept pausing, so she also watched on Katie's Camera. We learned that the photographers charged a lot of money for the pictures and video they took at the Qunice. Basically it boils down to around $2.00 per photo, and these are digital photos. Sounded like a lot to us. We said that Katie took 155 still photos and also video, but Erika said she wanted us to be able to enjoy the Quince, so she would never ask Katie to be "The Photographer".
Livario put some music on, and Eric did a dance from music he likes...Now this is a kid who when we first saw him was laying on a bed with an oxygen mask on with a breathing problem and has to be taken back and forth to Monterrey for treatment. You wouldn't know it now!
Livy did a dance, then she came and grabbed my hand and we started to dance. Katie didn't get a chance to get the camera out for our dance. She is really good and it was fun. We didn't get a chance to dance at the Quince. Then dad and Livy and dad and the two girls were dancing. Eric went and grabbed a board which has a guitar fret written on it with a marker, and he was then into air guitar.
and I don't know who started it but next thing you know, the cans of foam and easter eggs with confetti breaking over your head was in full force. The whole family was in on it, and everyone was laughing hard. This is the result....and I can tell you we never did anything even close to having fun like this in my family...too bad.
This was a neighbors puppy they brought in, the big Shepard was outside
This was the sign that greeted us when we came in
After the foam and confetti fight, and some more aftermath fun, Charely came back from taking her sister home. Now it was time to say goodbye, this is always the hard part. Erika crying, the kids crying, and us. Better this way than at the bridge though, it is always worse there.
Charely drove us to the bridge, through customs, and back home.
Some grocery shopping today, Katie and I decided we want to eat better than we have been eating until we leave for home.
But today we invited our friends Charely and her sister Dulce, to come to our place and we would take them out for dinner. They do a lot for us in terms of translation, rides etc. They both speak very good english and spend part of their time in the US and Mexico as there dad has a trucking buisness.
We went to Cracker Barrel as they had never been there. It was good, with lots of good conversation and laughs.
Came back to our place and talked for a long while.
We will see them again on Sunday when we go to see the family.
Katie and I had grocery shopping to do...later on our friends Bonnie and Al dropped by for a visit. Watched the Jets game at night...win in overtime...50th win overall, and Connor scored his 30th goal in overtime!
Today we were going to go to Mexico so Katie could do a little shopping, but it was actually on the chilly side with the wind and some rain...so we didn't.
This made me smile in a big way, and proud dad...
Feast...son Jeff's first poetry book and the only Manitoba Author...#1 bestseller
Today...was just a day for puttering and relaxation. It was hot and it was very windy all day.
Katie and I examined a different route for driving back, which is mostly two lane with passing lanes every so often, and going through lots of small towns. A more relaxing drive to be sure, but adds about an hour travel time.
We would end up staying overnight in Wichita Falls, however, the motels with the best ratings are very expensive, and the others leave something to be desired. I think the prices are up because they have you as a captive audience.
In the end we decided to take our normal route and with the hotel in Gainesville that we already have booked.
We watched the Jets game at night...a win...and resting big buff..but a defensive struggle it was not...final score Jets 6 Ottawa 5
Nope this is not an April fools joke...as usual Katie beats me at golf...soundly
We went golfing with our friends Al and Bonnie this morning at 7:30. Beautiful morning and little to no wind.
Katie was on fire and shot 41 on the front 9. What did Jim shoot? 46.
Both of us kind of fell apart a bit on the back 9, as this was the first game we have played
this year. Katie shot 50 and so did I.
It was fun though, with good company and nice weather.
Yesterday we went to Bestbuy where I purchased a Roku Express Stick. This was to test whether at some point the box that Spectrum provided is really necessary. It is free for a year but supposed to cost $11.99 a month after that which is ridiculous. At this point in time we can't find out if we are going to have to pay the $11.99 or not as we are on the bulk plan from the park. In theory this should add the rental onto our bill but then take it off again. If I was sure they were going to do that, I wouldn't bother with the Roku, but I can't be sure as Spectrum is handling this whole changeover so badly, and there is a different story from every employee.
At any rate I hooked up the roku, use the Spectrum App and this shows me there is no need for the Spectrum box...all for a one time $29 purchase. I think I will keep it as we will be back in Canada or on a holiday elsewhere, when the free year expires.
On Saturday we also went back to the flea Market, and got another Air Fryer, so that we could bring one back for son Jeff and his girl Cat. We also got a Mandolin Slicer. Because we went earlier there were more stalls open and a lot more people.
Son Jeff's book signing tonight...wish him a good crowd and lots of fun.
Not much happening today...instead of trying to sell our trailer by ourselves, we listed it with a lady in the park, who lives here year round, and has been pretty successful selling units this year.
Good part for us...she looks after everything for a flat fee.
Boring stuff today...some painting...grocery shopping etc.
Last night young son Jeff and his girl Cat were at the Jets game...he got picked as the fan favorite and was up against a Don Cherry look alike. Jeff just stared for 20 seconds, then decided to dance like his life depended on it and won.
Now he and Cat get free pizza from pizza pizza for quite awhile...
Talking about Jeff...his other name is Broms the poet, but still my son and Dad is extremely proud of him as a man.
He is a prolific poetry writer and has just published his first book. It is selling all over the world and he just did a second printing after the first 300 copies sold out. Here is the cover, some snippets, and information about his first book signing at McNally Robinson.
For those of you in Winnipeg who might want to go...Jeff will be doing a book signing and reading in the Atrium at McNally Robinson BookSellers in the Grant Park Mall.
Still recovering from the Quince on Monday...but we had to go to the Spectrum Store to get a new digital receiver for TV that comes from cable in the park. They are switching officially to digital on April 10th. I had ordered one online, but as usual Spectrum screwed things up and not only did it not come it wasn't listed to come.
We hate going to the Spectrum Store, there is usually a long wait as they only have one store to service a very large area and it contains many parks. Wasn't bad though about 15 minutes. Got the box...Spectrum has totally mishandled the whole digital conversion and virtually all of the employees will give you a different story.
Came home installed the box, and thought it was supposed to be an automated procedure to activate it. Forget that...had to talk to an agent who had to guide me through the process of resetting the box twice to get it activated. Apparently that is common for at 50 percent of the boxes.
Installed and working now, but a problem...the guy at the store asked if we turn off the power when we leave...I said yes...he said the box will go dormant in two weeks. I said I asked that when the so called expert came to a meeting at the park. He said good question...I said what is the good answer?
By the end he had decided we would just have to phone to have the box hit. The guy at the store said that would not work and it would have to be returned for another one.
I decided I will turn off all the electricity except for the living room, and that way the box will have power the whole time we are gone. Electricity costs will be extremely minimal and we have to pay fees of about $8/mth regardless.
Relaxation for the rest of the night
but still ends another great day in the Valley...
Tuesday morning...Katie and I went to the range to hit some golf balls. We are going to play golf on Sunday morning with our friends Bonnie and Al.
I am likely going to have to post about the Quince over more than one day, and will just mark it continued...otherwise I will be spending the entire day working on it, converting videos, uploading etc. Don't really want to do that as Katie and I did not get to bed until 2 AM
It may even be a bit disjointed at times as things occur to both Katie and I. Well those are the excuses...now on with what really matters "Karelly's Quince".
We went to our friend Charely's house in Progreso on the US side, around 5:30. Charely was ready, but her sister Dulce had to go to a birthday party first, so she didn't come with us, across the bridge to the church for the mass. We left our car at Charely's. We are so grateful to both Charely and her sister for always looking after us. They are so considerate, making sure we don't feel left out, with everyone speaking Spanish no matter where we go. The two of them speak very good English.
We got to the church just before Karelly arrived...perfect timing. It is a beautiful church inside as you will see from the pictures that Katie took. The whole mass was in Spanish, but I knew what was happening from my very early days as an Alter Boy. I was an Alter Boy when John Turner, then a prominent Member of Parliment got married at our church. I got $5 a lot in those days, and my picture in Bride's Magazine.
After the church, we left for the Hall, but first all the cars line up and drive through part of the town honking their horns continuously (tradition). You can see in one of the pictures, Karelly got emotional and Charely explained the priest was talking about family and for the parents to think about the job they did with their daughter.
We found out later, that most people invited to the Quince do not go to the church and only to the reception. You can see at the back of the altar on the wall, the woven wall hanging of Jesus on the cross...amazing!
Continued...
After the Church service, we went straight to the hall for the reception. Ahh...thank goodness the air conditioning is on, unlike the day before. The music DJ service was busy setting up their superstructure, with one guy on stilts, doing the wiring and the lighting at the top.
Not that many people at first...but slowly the place started to fill up, until in the end all the tables were full. The original plan was for supper to be between 8 and 9, and then dancing after...but I guess the caterers did not have the meal ready until around 9, when they brought in a large container covered in tin foil.
Erika made the decision that Karelly had waited long enough to be presented, so the plan changed to dancing first, eat later. I said to Charely that I can't dance if I'm not fed and she took me seriously until I told her I was just kidding. She will get to know me better.
then it was the time...So here it is folks...."The Dance"
Well that went rather well, if I do say so myself. Only trouble was stepping on Karelly's dress, very hard to avoid. We had done the practicing with her in blue jeans and runners. She is a very good dancer, and in the Quince dress you do not get the full effect of some of her moves, but she wanted to dance in her Quince dress, and why not, it is beautiful.
When we started our dance, I said "I love you" and she said "I love you too". A good start.
What follows will be some candid still shots that Katie took, she took 155 still shots the whole day, along with some videos.
This is Eric...the youngest that we sponsor...he is a fun kid...along with his date for the night
Standing by the dessert table...with Karelly's Eiffel tower as the centrepiece
just a cute little one
some more little ones with their own dance
Our friend Charely and yours truly and our tripod ready for the dance
speaks for itself
Karelly making her first entrance with Mom and Dad
The boys...who spend a lot of time supporting her for the dance
Karelly and Dad
The last doll is another one of those traditional symbols that packs a great deal of meaning. The last doll, or ultima muneca, represents the quinceanera leaving behind her childhood and the toys of a young girl in exchange for more grown-up interests fitting a young woman. The last doll can be given by the padrinos or parents.
At the reception, it is tradition for the quinceanera to give her doll to a younger sister or cousin. She may also pass her doll to her mother if she has no younger family member to receive it. Another tradition that some quinceanera's add is the tossing of the childhood doll to the young girls at the party. It is a custom that the Karelly receive her last doll from her father.
The family...Livy who is 11 is on the right
Livario's Dentist who practices in Nuevo Progreso for 8 years. He was educated in Monterrey and that education for a dentist is said to be better than the USA. Livario introduced him to us, and we had a nice chat, he is a very nice guy.
Erika's sister Katty and her little one Derrick
Karelly's friends
Karelly along with our friends Charely and her sister Dulce
Karelly and Jorge (the choreographer)
more to come....
As the night progressed and the music with no ending continued...It was time for "The Carnival" a guy on stilts dressed as a robot and all lit up, and a girl also on stilts started to dress with everyone on the dance floor. Later on another guy with a yellow suit, a green mask, spats shoes, and a red hat joined. He was a really good dancer, but at the end of the night, I saw him to the side take the rubber mask off, and he was just dripping and could have filled a glass. When he put the mask back on he held it away from his face to get some air. I felt sorry for him, but he sure did a great job, as did the other two who never quit.
They also kept giving out props as things went on, lights for the girls heads, huge plastic glasses, boler hats, light bars etc.
I am just going to post random pictures and videos that Katie took...
Right at midnight which was the time the hall was booked to, things started to wind down, Charely and Dulce and us decided not to wait for cake, so we said our goodbyes, and Dulce and Charely drove us back to her dad's place so we could get our car.
We gave them big hugs for looking after us, and then it was the 25 minute drive home. Katie and I watched some TV to unwind, and then it was off to bed around 2AM.
Sunday we suffered for that, and we just lounged and rested all day
and so ends another great day in the Valley/Mexico
