Whoopie!

The sun broke out in late morning yesterday and we had sunshine and temps in the 70's for the first time in quite some time. And there were a steady stream of arrivals coming in the front gate. So it was a busy day for lots of folks in Magnolia Park doing the meet and greets and getting settled in for a long winter of fun.

Less than

The weather is less than we all would like. It has been the coolest overall December that I can remember in all the time we have been coming down here. One thing about weather is that you take what you get and there is no changing it. Good lesson in that statement.
I take pictures in streaks so it is either feast or famine...much like the weather!
The picture below is of the dessert table on Christmas Day. Relive the memories!

This is Don Soole who last year we thought might be a goner but this year he is not only his chipper self but is once again head chef. We really need to get him a fancy hat.

These are some of Don's kitchen helpers who I caught in a somber moment just before serving time.

It is the week of the year when we get the most arrivals. So every day we watch the gate to see who is arriving today. So come on down ya'all. We cannot promise you nice weather but we can promise you some fun.

Aachoo!!

I have had a cold the past few days and haven't felt much like posting. But I am feeling better now. People are beginning to tumble in off that big snow drift they have up north and they are ready for some warmth and sunshine. Unfortunately we are short on both. Thursday and Friday are the best chances for some weather we have grown accustomed to. I am hoping that the next 10 day forecast I see has some 70 degree days in it.
Till next time...
Barb

A Magnolia Christmas

Sometimes I am happy with the pictures I take and sometimes not so much. I think Christmas day is a good time to catch people at their best.
Dale and Marie Flood


Bill and Kay Stilson

Sharon and Weyland Hvam

A Magnolia Christmas

I love this photo! Wish we could all be this cute!!
Gene and Jackie Dobson

Dean and Betty Lewis

The sunrise this Christmas morning was one to admire. This was taken through our front window about 6:30 AM

Christmas Dinner at Allen Hall

We all gathered together for Christmas dinner in Allen Hall. Leftovers at 5:00! Anyone ready??

Sharon and Florentino

Ambrose and Lili Demers

Floyd Foote

Jo and Bud Levin cozy up

Lloyd and Vi Sachs on Christmas Day

Midwest Hit Again

Once again the middle of the country is getting smacked with winter and here I sit at 7:00PM with temps in the 70's. We have had a colder than normal December but we always know that it is entirely possible we will need the AC in January! Hey it could happen! Or even yet in December. Another thing we tend to overlook is that it is hard to believe that Christmas is near when you are outdoors in shorts and tee shirts. And I have heard from more than one person that the Christmas spirit is a bit harder to muster...But that can be for many reasons. One is that family is most likely fighting the previously mentioned winter weather 1200+ miles from all of us. It is the time of year when our thoughts travel to them much more often even though we cannot.
So even though we are warm and cozy with the windows wide open know in your heart of hearts that all of us are thinking of you and wishing you were here...or that we were there.

From Gerry Hansen

Christmas Greetings to all my friends in Magnolia. It was so great to
see so many of you Sept 12th at the Hinkley Casino. It sure was a
pleasant surprise. Just a month later I was diagnosed with Cancer
which naturally shook me up quite a bit. After many tests--surgery
on the 4th of November and now have had 11 treatments--2 chemo and 9
radiation---4 more chemo to go and 19 more radiation. I am fighting
this and my goal is to beat it . Doctors don't think I will lose my
hair--just tired and not much appetite. My daughter took me to the
Mall today and I did the most walking since a a month and a half ago.
Bob has been so much help--keeping up the apartment and taking care of
my two kitty-cats. Sure glad I wasn;t down in Progressso when the big
drug bust happened. When I think back on all the fun times we had in
Progresso and now those days are gone,. Think of you all so often and
how much I enjoyed being in Magnolia with all of you. Happy Holidays
to all of you. Gerry (Bob says hellO)

Christmas Parade Version 2

With more pictures added...so have another look!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Magnolia Christmas Parade 2009

Send me your pictures and I will add them to the slideshow.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

News of Bob Beining

Bob passed away yesterday. Bob had health issues but it is always a shock when a friend passes. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Cribbage Players in the Little Hall

Cribbage players Bonnie and Mabel

Sharon N., Sandra, Leroy and Sharon Hv. look over their hands.

Ye Olde Blue Hall

Dick Cleaveland lines up a shot

Don and Marilyn Loring longtime residents of Magnolia park have purchased a home in Siesta Village and has now moved there. Don can't help coming back and visiting the pool hall however. I am sure he and Marilyn are going to miss us and we know we will miss them.

About Jean Scheurich

Hello,

I just talked to Jean Scheurich on the phone. She was given a shot of
steroids for her head pain. The Mayo clinic said that was about all
they could do for her, they said it was nerve damage from the stroke
she had this summer. Jean just got home yesterday, so there has not
been much improvement yet, also her eyesight is bad. She is hoping
the shot works, lets pray that it does. Kay Voss

Parade Postponed

The annual Christmas parade was cancelled due to cold and rain. We will be having our parade on Friday afternoon at 4:30 instead. We enjoyed a Chili supper last evening after the parade that wasn't. It was delicious and very appropriate for the weather. I will post parade pictures as soon as possible after the parade on Friday.
It has been a very long time since we have experienced weather like we have had the past two days. In fact it quit a few minutes ago! It rained nonstop all day yesterday starting about 3:00AM until now at 7:00 AM this morning. It was not a heavy rain. Moderate would be more appropriate but there was no let up in it.

Up Close

Click on it for an up close view. This guy was in our park...just one of many.

 

The Parrots

This is my first YouTube video and yes, I know it says Weslaco and it is Donna but more people know where Weslaco is and we are close enough!

Rain...again

It is raining Cats

AND dogs!!

This has to be the rainiest December I can remember in sunny south Texas. Oh well we do have many sunny days ahead. Of that we can be certain.

We who are here are awaiting the arrival of those who are not. How about dropping us a line and tell us when we can expect you. The front gate is open wide!

From Bill and Jo Bruce

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you….one and all !

This 2009 Is upon us and soon to pass. They all seem to run together after a while. Some folks pass on, others, enter into this seemingly more complex world. Each day brings on a new challenge and another advance in our complex lives. Another ‘remote control’ to conquer, another electronic gadget intended to make life easier but somehow it only makes us more dependent on the younger ones to straighten us out. Thank God for our Grandkids in more ways than we mention here.

For those of you that are not in our immediate area; we will just mention we are all well; thanks to our care givers, better living thru chemistry and the Grace of God. Minor things but we won’t dwell on that. Our kids are all well with the threat of cancer all in remission ; as our prayers have been answered.

Saddlebrook Farms has been a real delight as we get more and more into the activities and our friendly circle widens each day. Of course with our average age here growing daily, some pass on and other move in . All in all; the move here has proven to be outstanding. We manage to help each other with the small things that crop up in our neighborhood. Everyone here has spent his/her lifetime developing skills that really come in handy when in time of need. Saddlebrook folks are always willing to help as well; for a small fee of course, but we cannot complain.

And those who are nearby, we thank you for your friendship. After all is said and done, friends mean more than one can imagine. If there is anything that stands out in our many moves thru ought the years is how important it is to enjoy a really pleasant circle of folks.

Our next few weeks will be spent: Christmas Eve at Kathy’s (child no 4) in No Libertyville along with Carrie (child no 2) and their families. Christmas Day will be spent here with Curt (no 1) and Nancy. Then off to Donna, TX to our Rio Grande hideaway. We will pass thru Marion, IL on the way and spend time with Don(no 3) and his family. We have been going to this same park in Texas for years and always enjoy those folks company.

So, with that we will close; wishing you all….Good Luck, Good Health, and God Bless!

Bill and Jo Bruce

Crafts on Monday

Mary, Thelma, Edna,Janet and Irma work on favors for Christmas dinner.

Norma

Chris

Mabel, Vi, Naoma, Carol and Esther

Lili, Kay,Mabel and Vi

Marty and Lili

Dee, Dianna, Marty, Lili

Chairman Judy Hunt instructs us in the art of gluing pinecones.

Mabel, Esther, Naoma and Chris give us all a wave.

Tumbleweeds Perform

The Tumbleweeds who include our own Bill & Suzy Kreitz performed in Allen Hall last Sunday evening.

A nice crowd attended the performance. Only a portion of which is pictured here.

Message from Bernice Moritz

HI JUST WANT TO LET EVERYONE NOW ONE SNOW STORM AND I'M SICK OF WINTER ALREADY. BUT I SURE ENJOY HAVEING MY FAMILY AROUND ME.HAD CHRISTMAS LAST NIGHT WITH GRANDKIDS FIRST TIME IN 18 YEARS IT WAS FUN.I'M FEELING GOOD AND WAITING TO GET MY DRIVERS LICENCE BACK AND THAN LOOK OUT I'LL BE ONE A ROLL.MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL .BERNICE

Merry Christmas From Tony Spagnuolo

I was just setting here looking out the window at the beautiful snow. I was thinking how Jo and I use to pack and get out and head for Texas before the first snow. So I thought I would just send a e-mail To my dear friends in Texas and Family and friends. Just to let you know that I am well and happy as can be with out the Love of my life JO. One thing I can be happy for I don't have that long drive. At 92 who needs it. The main reason I wanted to wish each and everyone of you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Neti-Pot

I have been in several discussions about the Neti-Pot lately so decided to discuss it in this venue. McAllen is one of the places in the nation with a very high allergen count. And those of us who have come here for years know it to be true. We are not here long when we hear of someone who is having upper respiratory irritations. Or we may be suffering with it ourselves. I had quite a time of it last year and decided to do all I could possibly think of to keep healthy this year. I watch Dr. Oz now and then and he highly touts the Neti-Pot as a way to curtail allergies and help with any upper respiratory irritations. I started using it twice a day to begin with and it feels so good to get those sinus rinsed out. Now I rinse out once a day and so far so good. Butch uses it too when he thinks of it. I had to remind him recently when he started in with some sinus congestion. He was already into it when he started but it sure helped abate and relieve the condition.
Here is the website for the Neti Pot that I have.
http://www.neilmed.com/usa/index.php
You can get plastic or porcelain and you get 50 saline powder packets with it.
I know they have this at WalMart and Walgreens too. Cost is around $15.00

Gary Hearl's Iowa Snow Pictures

Linda Smith (Lot #50 Magnolia) sent me these pictures that Gary took in Iowa of their big Blizzard. Great Pictures Gary!