Big Surprise!!!!! We quit horsing around.

When we were at Quartzsite, AZ, in January, we saw a metal sculpture horse with a sign that said, "Quit horsing around, come in and buy your new RV". So we did. With the recession down here, the dealers ready to bargain hard, and the Canadian dollar higher than it's been for years, we've bought our dream home, a 2008 Phaeton made by Tiffen. Very high quality with an outstanding reputation. Due to B.C. insurance regulations we couldn't pick it up until today, 41 days before we import it into Canada, so we've had our mouths watering as we waited 6 weeks to get it.

Chuck and Barb

Our good friends from Blaine WA are here for 2 days so lots of fun to be had. The guys played bocci while we were at the pool.

Friends leave

We've had so much fun with Vicki and Pete but they left for home today. We moved over from Desert Pools and into their spot as they pulled out. We were early and watched the sunrise on the mountains and if you click the picture, you can see all the windmills heading through the Pass between San Jacinto and big Bear Mountain going west.

Quilt Show

Vicki, Linda and I went into Palm Springs today for the Desert Magic Quilt Show. There were over 150 quilts on display showing some remarkable work. One of my favorites was a 8 x 4 foot wall art of Geishas in a street scene. This was an original where the artist drew and painted the faces and hands, then dressed the women. Truly amazing in 3D dimensions.
Here we are in front of some of the beautiful gardens.
Fourteen of us went up to the clubhouse for a BBQ rib dinner and back to Art and Lois for Art's birthday party. Lots of fun.

Romance and Sex Life of the Date

Well it's been fun having Pete and Vicki here. They've enjoyed themselves so much they've joined Catalina. They've been enjoying all the activities and if you get bored at Catalina, it's your own fault. Most of us can't find enough hours in the days for all the activities we're involved in.
We took them down to Shields for their first date shake. Delicious as usual. We walked out into the original orchard in back which was established in 1921 with date trees from Arabia. You can see the mature dates on the trees. Some above Vicki and I are covered so they are not damaged by rain or birds. There are permanent ladders on the palms as they must be hand pollinated and mature at different times so need to be picked daily as they mature.
Vicki and Pete head home tomorrow and Chuck and Barb arrive Monday.

Swim Suit Style Show

We had our Swim Suit Style Show today and as usual it was fun. We try on and choose 3 suits. The audience can look and try on what they'd like to purchase. Glossy's is a store in Desert Hot Springs and has great values. The $70 -$ 90 suits are marked down to $34 and she clears the cover ups for $10. Needless to say, she nearly sells out her great selection of flattering bathing suits.
Our men come to watch and punch and sweets are served so it's another fun Cat Spa activities. You can see how the hall is decorated for St. Patrick's Day. Arla decorates all the buildings for all the seasons and everything always looks very nice.

Golfing

I went for my 2nd golf game in 5 years when Vicki and I signed up to play 9 holes at the Sands course with the Catalina gang. I'd picked up a child's golf bag and 5 clubs at consignment stores, a buck each, because my whole set is sitting at home as I haven't been able to golf - looking down and swinging - since Menierres in 2002. Viola, I was fine and managed to shoot straight most of the time. Naturally I would have won the prize for the most honest golfer - highest score - but I enjoyed it.
A little chipmunk came and sat on a bench and watched us drive off.