Sandpipers Nude Olympics, Women's VB

Sandpipers Nude Olympics, 2014. 

Sign up for Women's Water Volleyball

at Bob and Carma's, Lot 308.

The event day will be Saturday, March 8, 11 AM.

(weather permitting)  

Sign up dead line will be March 7, 3:30 PM.

League rules will apply. 
Thanks,

Bob and Carma

Texas 42

We are looking for more players for the fun game of Texas 42.  Several of the new residents have been learning to play. 

 

 I'll be in Jakz on Mon. and Fri. at 1:00 to introduce any one interested in learning the

 "National Game of Texas." 

 

We'll learn from 1:00 - 2:00 and then play other games. 

  This is a game similar to bridge (but easier)

 but played with dominoes. 

 

 Don't leave Texas without learning this game!

Patsy #108

Let's Disco Dance!

Adopt-A-Family Auction Items

A reminder that the

Adopt-a-family 2^nd annual auction

 is to be held at the pavilion on

Sunday, March 2, 2014 at 2:30 pm.

 

Among the items to be auctioned are:

·        America’s favorite cookies

·        Tie Dye T-Shirt

·        Joker and Marbles Board Game

·        Shrimp Steak Dinner

·         Slovak style Cabbage Roll Dinner

·         Tour of the museum followed by lunch

·        An Italian American seafood stew

·         Grilled Pizzas or Dancing Chicken

·        Homemade ice cream and sorbet

·        Cinnamon-Pecan Rolls

·         Quebec Maple Syrup

·         Pan of homemade date squares

·        Full- body massage

·        Steak and Shrimp kabobs dinner

·         Basket of homemade goodies

·        Candy Bar Pie

·        Handmade white scarf

·        Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake pie

·        Wall hanging

·        Handcrafted stained glass

·         Private wine tasting

·        Framed lithograph water color

·        Millionaire pie

·        Private wine tasting

 

 

Recycling

As you may know, or maybe not, Jim And I have been in Florida for the past 3 months helping my sister through a health crisis.  That means I have missed some mail, but we just got a big envelope full (thanks John & Sue!).

 

 

Found a note from Sher #11.

She is THE Recycler for packing paper, Styrofoam, bubble wrap, peanuts, small boxes, padded envelopes, etc.

 

Some are throwing what could be recycled into the dumpster.  If we make a concerted effort to recycle these things it would leave more room for real garbage.  We certainly don't want her to dumpster dive!

 

Sorry this has taken so long to post, Sher.

Any questions on if your material is recyclable just talk to Sher, #11.

 

 



Ahhhh, Poor Tom!

It is a difficult thing to watch a man go through withdrawal, but more on that later. 

Tom and I have been doing the, "photographer and his assistant" thing for a long time. 

 I know my job. 

Tom carries a minimum of two lenses, four memory cards and two camera batteries with him at all times. He also can mentally switch from a desire for wide-angle to close-up three times in 30 minutes.

 

  But it's all good.  We've got it down to a science. 

 

 He says he needs to switch lenses and I get the new lens out of its carrier on his belt, take off the guard at the back (always keeping it away from sun and weather); hand it to him as he takes off the old lens; we switch the two lenses, I screw on the guard, put on the lens cap; replace it in the carrier while he puts the new lens on the camera and starts shooting. 

 

 It takes less time to do than to describe. 

 Trust me, we are like those damn birds switching eggs on March of the Penguins--but with no tears.

The fact that there is no drama, however, does not mean that there aren't odd moments.  On the Franz Josef Glacier trail we had been walking for over 30 minutes in a heavy constant drizzle that frequently turned into real rain. We were in our rain gear and I like the rain, so, again, no problem.  At the glacier toe he wanted to switch lenses so I started the penguin dance when he paused and said,

 "find something dry on you and wipe down the lens before you put it away." 

I looked at him quizzically, just as he turned back to the glacier and said--in all seriousness--"sometimes you have to sacrifice your body for the optics!" 

 

 Our lens was wiped down with Victoria Secret lace. 

Now, back to my first sentence, you can imagine what this poor man went through when, on an all day trip to one lake, one power plant and Doubtful Sound and fjord, he discovered he had brought all his camera equipment--except the camera itself.  He was so upset that when a man walked by with a Nikon and long lens, I had to put my hand on his arm and say, "No."  He knew what I was talking about! 

Yes, he enjoyed the trip,

but I occasionally heard teeth grinding.

 Hugs to all.  We continue to enjoy life Down Under.      

 

Louise
 

Men's Water VolleyBall-Olympics

Announcement: 2014 Nude Olympics

Event: Men's Water Volleyball

When: Saturday, March 1, 2014

Time: 11 AM

Location: Water Volleyball Pool

Sign Up Location: Lot #308

Sign Up Deadline: Friday, February 28, 2014 – 3 PM

Rules: League Rules

Please tell your neighbors and friends about the event so everyone knows to get signed up. No late sign up will be allowed so teams can be set as even as possible.

 

Teams will be determined after sign up. 

A Reminder...

Louise, and the slippery soap!

Dear Sue et Sandpeeps,

Tom is doing such a good job of describing the intellectual aspects of this trip,
click here to read the latest
 I thought I would concentrate on what is happening in the non-rarified air of life in the semi-rough. 

 

For example, our bathroom is a cubicle that has the toilet, flip-down sink, and shower all on top of each other.  Needless to say, we are using the bath facilities at each campground (and anywhere else) along the way. 

 

The other night I was late to the shower, but was looking forward to an extra special treat.  I had purchased some geyser mud soap that is supposed to be extra soft on the skin and the shower house had a private room!  So I grabbed my new bar of soap, scrubby and shampoo and headed for a deluxe, private shower.

 

While lathering up the lights suddenly went off. 

I was in total darkness. 

The lights were on a motion sensor so I had to wave my arms around outside the curtain to get the lights back on. 

 

About this time the special soap took on a special property.  It is the slipperiest soap I've ever used.  After three attempts to grab it, it shot out of my hands and across the floor. 

I was trying to get to it when the lights went out again. 

I am now crawling across the shower floor, waving one hand in the air to activate the lights and groping for the lost soap with the other. 

 

Neither the soap or light cooperated. 

 

 I finally gave up on the soap, rinsed off in the dark and got out just as the lights decided to come back on.  Now here is the funny part--I had forgotten to bring a towel!  I spent the next few minutes trying to use a hair dryer attached to a wall to get dry enough to get my robe on, find my mud soap and get back to the camper.

 

  As hard as it was raining, I shouldn't have bothered.

 

Next post I will tell you what it is like to change camera lenses with Tom--also in the rain. 

 

 Hugs to all, L

Dance With Your Sweetie!



Another Great Letter from Louise!

Dear Sue, Tom's blog is on fmca.com. 

 Go to the, "forums" bar at the top,

then drop down to, "blogs."  
or just click here!

 

He actually let loose of a picture in this one, unfortunately, it is me instead of scenery.  He has been processing pictures every night, but is more worried about exposure and focus (the muttering is disconcerting) than the fact that I look my age in photos and don't in my mind.  It's my old story about thinking I'm Marilyn Monroe, then I see the picture and up jumps Angela Lansbury--not that she wasn't a saucy little tart in her day.

 

The photo count has already become remarkable, but has not yet passed to the, "prodigious" category, let alone, "ponderous." Come to think of it, those are the same words I would have used for Sam the cattle dog, hereafter referred to as Sam the Magnificent. 

We went on a tour of the Te Piua Culture Center in Rotorua.  We walked through a constantly active geyser field (free steam facial, there) and then attended a performance of dance and music.  The performance included a welcoming challenge (yes, a spear was involved) and a battle challenge called a, "haka" (no spears but lots of tongue).  The women also danced with poi balls and had them going in every different direction.  Between tongues, spears and balls I didn't know whether to buy the CD or lean back and have a cigarette.

We are currently rained in at Wellington.  We take the interisland ferry to South Island tomorrow, and may take a bus to a local museum later today.

 

Miss you all, L

A Thank You from Laura....

What a great party!!!!

 

 I can't tell you how thrilled I was when more than 60 people came to share my day.

 

There were many cards , good food and some lovely gifts.

 

 I don't know how to tell you all how much you are loved and appreciated.

 

  What a great place to live.

 

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

 

Love, Laura

Soup Night, Tuesday-Feb. 11

Soup Night,

 Tuesday, Feb. 11th.

at 5:30 p.m.

At Flip- Flopz

$5.00 donation to support our Adopt A Family program

Soups:

Hearty Potato Soup

and

Turkey Noodle Soup

Delicious home made desserts:

Chunky Chocolate Chip Cookies

and

Cheese Cake

Come for soup, come for fellowship and come to support AAF. 

Brrr! Good Reason to Move the Party Indoors!

It looks like cold and wet on Thursday,

 so we will move Laura's Birthday Open House

from our house to the pavilion. 

3pm to 5pm.

 

Thanks: Bill

Days Of Wine Glasses and Sheep Dogs!

Dear Sue, You are not going to believe this. 

 

 We are trying to make our bare-bones campervan a bit more, "homey" by making it easier to enjoy our nightly glass (or two) of wine.

  While I was getting groceries, Tom went over to a hardware store (always dangerous) and ended up buying--among other things--two very nice, heavy plastic wine glasses.

 

 I was delighted, and said the next renters of the van would be happy to have them, too, since we would have to leave them in New Zealand.  Our luggage was carefully weighted at home and was within ounces of the limit. 

 

 In typical tourist or typical male fashion (???) I found Tom standing in the RV holding the new plastic wine glasses he bought in one hand and his skivvies in the other saying, "If I leave the undies behind I'll be able to pack the wine glasses

 and take them home--the weight is the same."

Honest to God, he was serious as the grave! 

 

 Clearly I am going to enjoy this trip for reasons I never dreamed!

  For example, we saw a demonstration of sheep dogs and sheep shearing today.

  I even got to help shear a sheep. 

 But the really mirthful moment was when the oldest sheep dog was sitting on the shearing stage and the owner was commenting on his accomplishments, not the least of which was being 10 years old and still fathering a litter of 7 pups this last month.

 

To prove the truth of this statement the dog promptly began displaying an erection of larger than life proportions and licking same. 

 

 I hope by the next post I will have some real, "tourist" news for you; but in the mean time, this is what I've got.

 

  Hugs from Down Under, Louise


Bob Hope Show

 The Bob Hope Show

 

The Bob Hope Sandpipers Salute to Veterans Show

will be held this

Saturday, Feb 8th

at 3:30 and 7:30

in the Pavilion.

 

  Tickets are still available for the 3:30 show only,
from Carma Lot 308 or Judy 404 .

Come see Bob Hope and his USO tour troupe,

   including some surprise celebrity guests!!

Thanks,

Barb D...Lot 10

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SHRIMP AND MORE SHRIMP

SHRIMP AND MORE SHRIMP

 

Last Thursday Bob, Bernie, Mary B and John

 traveled over to Brownsville to do the

Texas Gulf Trawling Shrimp Boil and Tour. 

 

It was $12 pp and it was well worth it!! 

We had cookies, coffee, and water

 as we waited for all to arrive.

Greg Londrie, the greatgrandson of the original owner,

led the tour along with

several of his other key people. 

 

He gave the history of their company, explained his duties (wow were there a lot).

 

  We were in a special covered area sitting at tables so we could hear and watch his presentation.  After that, we went on board the docked shrimper as they told us about the boat.

 

  We got to see the inside (tiny beds) and go up where the captain spends his time.  We were shown how they behead the shrimp--simple really. 

 

After, we went back to the tables and learned how the shrimp are processed. 

 Then we had a peeling/deveining contest. 

Now came the boiled shrimp.

You get like 6 shrimp to peel and then they 

 passed out the extras. 

They like lots of questions.

 

We went into their store and bought wild caught shrimp.  They have 1.5 # and 5 # packed up. Bring your own ice chest and ice. $$ depends on size you buy.

 

All four of us were pleased with our day out.  I will be happy eating the shrimp but I will leave the harvesting to them.

 

  The wild caught do in fact taste better than farm raised,  Most of the farm raised are from the far east-but Greg will tell you all about that

Annual Quilt Show

The Rio Grande Valley Quilt Guild Annual Quilt Show

will be held Feb. 14 and 15 at the McAllen Civic Center

out on Ware Road. 

 

The hours are from 9 to 5. 

The admission is $5 per person good for all day. 

The Show is in Hall B. 

 

 There will be over 400 quilt items, a craft center to buy handmade items, a Second Hand Rose section and an Opportunity Quilt with a theme of Roses. 

 

There is to be a food tent outside this year so you have more food choices.  Come join those of us from SPR as we will be there Friday morning working and then we will be out on the Quilt Floor looking and spending our money as there are LOTS of vendors. 

 

  Be sure to bring your cameras.

Picnic Wines

Greetings Fellow Wine Enthusiasts: 

This is just a reminder for those who have already paid for the February Wine Appreciation Class to be held Sunday February 9th at 3:00 PM in Flip Flopz. 

 

This will be a American Picnic with wines as the beverage.  We will have fried chicken, hamburgers and other picnic items.

 

  This will be a meal, so come hungry and thirsty.

 Bob & Bernie

Bob and Bernie



Butlers Down Under

Dear Sue (and Sandpeeps),

 Kea ora,

("Be well" in Maori,

 and a common greeting here in New Zealand).

 

I've gotten the first prediction as to the number of photos Tom will take (no, he doesn't delete one stinking thing). 

 I hope to get many more and

will provide a gift for the winner.

 

We have started recording the birds we see in our New Zealand and Australia bird books.  I've got the first two sight-ums.  Do English sparrows count? 

 

 After multiple flight delays and connecting flight bingo on the flight to Los Angeles, we ended up sitting apart on the Houston to LA flight.  Tom took one look at the big guy in one row and decided he would sit in the other. 

 His loss, I was seated between the big guy and a young Texas beauty who was on her way to LA to take part in her second Playboy shoot.  Seems she was part of the, "Girls of Texas" spread and was being called back for a shot at being Playmate of the Month.  She was very sweet, had a lovely face (tall and stick thin) and said she wanted to be both the first Texas playmate and the first completely, "unenhanced" playmate in decades. We had a great conversation about nudity as art. I told her about my nudist life and the big guy in the far seat thought he was in Heaven.

 

We are getting our feet under us today at a RV park on the beach and start adventuring tomorrow. 

 Hugs, Louise