Finally some pictures!!

The crafters meet at 1:00 PM on Mondays and if you do not care to do a craft project you are more than welcome to come socialize.

Below we start coffee hour on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 and even if you do not like coffee or donuts you are welcome to come socialize. wink, wink

Looks like Don Soole and Eugene Pratt are cooking up something.

Then it is time for announcements. Larry Ergen is telling us about next Saturdays garage sale among other things.

And then  Elaine Wingert has something to say.

Sunday

We had a great service this morning at Magnolia with about fifty worshipers in attendance...I may have missed a couple in my counting but was very close to the number...Pastor Stacey gave a great sermon this morning with the theme of "God is our refuge"...He stated that during the last week some one had broken in to his home and just how he and his family felt about the experience....It shows just where you are in the Lord as to how you handle the trials that are set before us....He gave quite a lesson that we could learn from with much to study from....I know that it kind of made me think of just how I would act and think if such a thing happened to me....We need to pray and ask for guidance for our lives and those around us....Remember to continue to pray for all the Magnolia family each time you think of someone...They may just need prayer at that time....God BLESS ALL...

Holiday Faux Pas

Completely forgot to take my camera when we went to the hall for Thanksgiving dinner and I KNOW you all like to catch glimpses of the folks who are here. All I can say is DARN IT! and I am sorry. The meal was fantastic and I must say even better than usual. I have talked to more than one who has agreed with me. Don and  Marge Soole and their crew of capable helpers took care of every detail. And it was HOT. We all about cooked along with the turkey. But then we awoke during the night with a big drop in temperature and it has been on the cool side ever since. Back in the 80's by tomorrow though. That is the beauty of being here. Those cool spells do not happen often and when they do they never last long. The local weatherman said last night that the long range forecast was for higher than normal temps and lower than normal precipitation. The farmers of the area most likely did not like to hear that but it suited me fine.

From Ray and Sharon Brewer

   We just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to you all. We hope you know that we all have so much to be Thankful for. I hope everyone who gets to be with Family, will cherish & enjoy it, because when you can't be then the memories will get you thru. We love you all.  Eat some Turkey for us.

Lord bless & keep you.

Ray, Sharon,

Thanksgiving Day 2010

We will all meet later today in Allen Hall for a delicious meal prepared by many capable hands. The bill for the turkey is being picked up by the park owners so we must add our thanks for that which brings me to the subject of the day. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It is mostly a no pressure holiday with the only pressure being on the cooks.
 The daughter of a friend of mine was posting on facebook and she said she was reading a self help book where one of the exercises was to write down 5 things per day she was grateful for. I thought what a great idea. So I added a long list of things I was grateful for that very minute and told her how glad I was that she was doing that.
She was struggling with her list and told me that she was supposed to do this for 30 days and if she wrote as long a list as I had she would soon run out of things to be grateful for. I told her I could do that every day for the rest of my life and NEVER run out of things to be thankful  for. One of life's amazing things is that the more things we take time to express a gratitude for the more things we have to be grateful for. It is like an avalanche! A good kind of avalanche.
My list for this minute is:
I am grateful I am here in the warmth even though the warmth is abundant.
I am thankful for all the friends I have here as it certainly would be no fun at all to be here alone.
I am so glad I didn't have to prepare this thanksgiving meal although I am very grateful I get to eat and enjoy each and every morsel. And I thank the people who prepared it.
Thanksgiving day is a wonderful time to make note of all the things in your life you have to be grateful for. So instead of giving a passing glance at what you are grateful for give it a little deeper thought than that sometime today and watch what happens as a result. I think you will be very glad that you did.

Lots to share

I have lots to share with you folks. It is a matter of finding time to post it and then remembering what it was I wanted to relate. Yesterday when we were at the golf course the gal who works there was telling us of the happenings in Nuevo Progreso  Mexico in October. So that was just before Butch and I came down here. It seems the Mayor, city officials and police were extorting money from the vendors and shop owners of Nuevo Progreso and had been doing so for many years. In October the Mexican Navy came to clean house and were successful in doing so. The vendors and shop owners paid $500 per month per store. So we are talking big money. One fellow said he paid him(the mayor) over $25,000. Currently the Mexican Navy is in charge of running the city and the extortion has ended.
They still have the problem of getting the tourists back. I hear it is very quiet down there and the prices are dirt cheap. We will be going soon. I keep saying that but we have yet to get there. In years past we would have been there two or three times by now.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/special_reports/Mexican_navy_drives_out_gangs_in_tourist-oriented_border_town_106394703.html?showFullArticle=y

Tinkering and Shuffleboard

Norm Pratt over on Willow street says he just likes to tinker. Here he is putting shelving in his shed.

Bonnie- a force to be reckoned with on the shuffleboard court. Ask anybody.

Here are Donna, Milton and Leroy taking it all very seriously.

Crafts

The Craft group is meeting on Monday afternoons at 1:00 PM in Allen Hall. The way it is done has proved to be very successful. A craft project is proposed at Tuesdays coffee hour and if it is something you would like to do you can sign up for it. That way those in charge know how many to prepare for. Now if it is something that does not interest you, you are still encouraged to come and bring your own project to work on and socialize with everyone for the afternoon. This has worked successfully for several years.

It also brings to mind one of the many reasons we flood down here from the north for the winter. There are many interesting things going on every day in the park and if you cannot find something you enjoy, you are either not trying or it is a choice. Judging from the groups you find throughout the park doing a myriad of activities most people are finding things they wish to do and having fun doing it!

Also a reminder: There are other blogs to read besides this one if you are so inclined. Our personal blog is www.brooker3.blogspot.com. You are welcome to click on it to see what I write on that one. There are also other people's blogs listed on the left of this page you may have an interest in viewing. 

Sunday Service with Pastor Stacey

Pastor Stacey was back with us today after his trip back to celebrate his fathers birthday...He reported that the whole family was able to be with his father for the first time in several years and it was a great blessing for his dad...We are sure glad that he is back with us safe and sound, smiling and refreshed....

The lesson today was from Ephesians, chapter 1, starting with verse 3....The theme for the lesson was "Who are you?"....There is much to consider in the words of the verses that were read...Pastor was able to bring out much to think on and study....As always it is nice to be able to go to the bible and study just what was brought out in the lesson and get a better understanding with prayer and thought....Some how many things just seem to be brought out for us just when we need them...God works in mysterious ways for sure...Remember those on the road and continue to pray for all the Magnolia Family....God Bless All....

Saturday in the Park

Roy and Shirley visiting

The front wall is getting all spruced up. Maybe people will be able to find us now! Thanks George for all you do!

Every year our residents need reminded that they cannot crowd or distract the mailman from his appointed rounds. We can  lose our delivery privileges if we do not abide by the rules. He is a nice friendly fellow but we need to help him out by not hindering him.

Barb Says...

Toil and Trouble
I have been working on a project from the time of our arrival. I couldn't give it my full attention all of the time but I have been plugging away. If you have an item or lots of items to sell there is not a better place to do it than Magnolia Park on the first Saturday of each month. As a member of the park association you are given the privilege of renting a table to display your items for sale. The success rate of this sale is phenomenal. Thus we wait all year to glean down our overstock from the motorhome to sell after we arrive at Magnolia Park. The gleaning process is not what I consider fun but it feels so good once it is completed. I have been working on it a bit at a time, now and then resenting not having the time to get to it. I am happy to say I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have the inside of the motorhome 99% completed. If no more gets sorted on the inside I can live with that. The hardest part may be yet to come because the outside bins are a dual chore. We both have to be a part of it and Butch can be a bit hard to nail down some times as any of you who have tried can attest to. I do have more success than most.
Come on Down!
People are beginning their southward trek and as we make our walk around the park we are noticing new arrivals nearly every trip. I know those of you who are still in the northern clime are beginning to feel that nip that sends you southward. If the weather stays as it has been you will not be disappointed.
Mexico...
We are asked how things are in Mexico. Butch and I haven't been there yet although I do have a want list in process. The US government is still not recommending travel in Mexico. We Winter Texans do tend to think of Progreso as safe and that may not be the smartest thing to do. Pecan Bill told me the streets of Progreso were not at all busy and the beggars were persistent when he went down this week. Most people are going down for a quick trip to get the usual items we all like to pick up but not staying to party. A party frame of mind is hard to maintain when gunfire may distract you. I think it is enter at your own risk and many still are but not at all like in years past where it was difficult to make your way down the busy streets.

10 Day Forecast

One of the many reasons we favor sunny south Texas.

 Things are picking up in the park with new arrivals happening every few days. Butch and I have sometimes taken  our second walk (*) after dark and as we do we see the pool hall(*) is busy with pool shooters and card players(*). As we round the corner by the office we see more card players in the little hall. The weather has been mild(*) with an occasional cool front passing through making an after dark walk through the park a pleasant experience. Last night the Toomires and Brookers went to the El Dorado(*) for supper. Roy and Shirley Benner were there. Shirley looks great. It was last year at this time she was beginning her battle with cancer. It looks as though she has successfully regained her health(*). We are all pulling for each other in times such as those(*). I placed an asterisk next to each thing we come to sunny South Texas to enjoy. Some we are aware of all the time,like the weather and some may be more subtle but they all add up to time well spent.

Sunday at Magnolia

Well today was an unusual day for the service at Magnolia...Pastor Stacey was away visiting his father back on the east coast for his birthday....Don Soole stepped in and headed up the service today....We had several readings and singing was done by various people of the congregation...Pastor Stacey's sons even got up and sang and played the guitar for us...All did a great job....The theme of the whole service was " God's Love" ....This is a theme we all should live our lives by all the time for sure....Pray for Pastor Stacey as he travels home from his journey and all those who are sick both here and up NORTH...The family is always in need of prayer for somebody, sometimes we never know just who....GOD BLESS ALL....

Starts

Computer Class began this morning with 5 students in attendance. Shuffleboard is going on regularly now and other activities are beginning as people who have an interest inquire about them. We are a wee bit short of people at this time but we know that will change very soon.
We are all waiting but please keep in mind that we do not want you accidentally bringing any of that cold stuff with you!! If you accidentally find any as you travel south be sure to drop it off in San Antonio or Falfurrious.

Arrival is a ways off yet

Hi Barb:  Hello from the Great White North, Although it's not white yet,  this is late for not having any snow!  I'm not complaining.  Have a few doc appointments in Thunder Bay  which is 240 miles away
 We won't get to Texas until the 2nd week of Dec.  See you then.     Eleanor @ Ed

Barb says: We will be oh so happy to see you!!

Wonder

This is the time of year when those of us who are here start to wonder when those of you who are not will be arriving. So if you have a minute or two and do not mind relating the info drop me a quick email so we will  be ready for you. Wink, wink.
I know the Stilson's plan to be here the 12th and the Toomire's the 15th. We are wondering about you!

Tuesday-must be Coffee Hour

Things mesh so well and get done so nicely because of the many volunteers we have here in Magnolia Park. These are 3 of them. Thank you very much!!

First Church Service of November

Here it is the first Sunday of November with the new season beginning....How time just flies by as we get older and let's hope wiser with age....We had a nice sized group this morning at service with the addition of yet a few more of the Magnolia family from up NORTH joining us....The service today was on the Book of Judges . chapter 4 starting with verse 4 with the theme of "Powerful Women of the Bible"....We were taught that God has used some powerful women in the work of God's work....We men should take heed to listen to the women in our lives for help and guidance in our daily lives....For the Lord can use women to do his will when men sometimes won't or just don't for what ever reason...A great lesson to be studied by both men and women....Communion was served after the service as is the custom on the first Sunday of the month also....Breakfast was also served after service for all that wished to partake.....Continue to pray for all those that are sick and those that are traveling...GOD BLESS ALL....

Out of here

The trailer at lot #56 is no longer in the park. It left yesterday afternoon. It was one that was in pretty sad shape. The hitch had rusted out and they had to reinforce it for the move. The hubs on the wheels had to be replaced as well. All the tires blew up when they tried to inflate them. I think the trailer had been here for a very long time. It was interesting to watch the process.

Here they are reinforcing the hitch. Butch moved our car before the big move took place. A little afraid parts might fall off unexpectedly. Most likely there will be RV's parked in those empty places during the busy season but right now we can see much more of the park than we have been able to see in the past.

And here is another picture of Bill Sager's puppies. 

Cute as they can be...

"I told you plastic doesn't taste good"

Can you think of a caption for this picture? If so, email me and I will add it.

Park looks great

The park looks great and I understand that George Morgan is responsible for much of the improvements in the overall good look of things. Today he power washed the shuffleboard court. It looks super! I think you all will be surprised at how spiffy things are around here.  I dropped in the office the other day and George was painting the walls.
The lot south of us took on a different look today when the old trailer that was there is now out of the park. The lot needs cleaned up now but it seems so strange to see all the way to the other end of the block. Hopefully they will be able to find rentals for it. We need an influx of new people coming into the park. If they stop long enough to take a look I believe we can make a favorable impression on them.
There's been some changes made!!

From the Hannewald's Granddaughter

Hello……Hoping you can post a quick thank you note.

I am the granddaughter of Dick & Dorothy Hannewald and I just wanted to say “Thank you so much” to the people  that helped my grandparents while they were without power for a week. I love them so much and  I am very thankful  that they have such good friends who watch out for one another at Magnolia Park especially since I live so far away.

 Thanks again,

Monique Mataya & Family

We had a great time visiting with Edy!

The men shared a few laughs.......

The Larson's

We drove over to WI to see the Larson's. They are really making great progress, and may be moving to their son and daughter-in-law's home in the near future. We visited with them last night and this forenoon. Jon is in the hospital rehab, Edy is across town in the rehab dept of an assisted living home. They are in good spirits and hope to get to the Valley in a few months. They both have back braces, but are walking the halls to get back in shape.

Edy Larson

Edy's daughter sent a picture of her and I must say she is looking good! Keep up the hard work Edy so you can be amongst us very soon.

Coffee Hour and walk around

All the folks who are here are saying "Hi Ya'ALL and come on down!"

Taken at Tuesday morning coffee hour.

Pool cue case rack made by Karl Kapke

Don Louks and Karl Kapke installing a new lockable cabinet in the pool hall

Arleen Beach, Bill Sager and Kenny Beaderstadt on puppy watch

Bill having the most fun with his new puppies Yin and Yang.

Joanne and Jerry Keyser visiting with Thema Domer. Street corner conversations happen often throughout any given day.

First Business meeting and stuff

Butch and I have landed in Magnolia Park for the season as of yesterday afternoon and this morning we had the first business meeting of the season. I will not bore you with the details. It went smoothly for the most part. The residents are expected and it is written in the rules that residents are to take care of their own yard waste and take it to the designated area near the dumpsters. And there are new spots for golf cart parking. That should be a help as it has always been a bit of a challenge to get them all parked. There were a few other things taken care of but most of it can wait till the rest of you get here to share in the joy of being here. The park looks great. Neat, clean and well cared for.
I finally returned to my routine of getting two miles of walking done each day. It is never easy to do that here as we take a few steps and visit with those we encounter out and about. Some times it can take a very long time to get the walking done. But we will continue to try.
Every year as I contemplate putting the directory together I think there may be only a few changes but each year brings many, many changes and this year may be a record setter.
We who are here are ready and waiting for the remainder of our friends, old, new and those we haven't met yet to get here and share in the fun. So come on down!!!