Hello from Tornado Alley

The weather has been terrible. Don't you hate it when those danged hurricanes come inland around Texas? It's been raining for days, and yesterday it got worse. It was raining all morning, then around noon it started pouring! I was at physical therapy (getting my left knee built up) and when I had to drive home, I had to go about 5 miles an hour to be able to see with my wipers on high. Came home and of course, there was nothing to do. Our lights kept going off.

I got an e-mail from some Pecan Hollow (a golfers league in Plano) ladies inviting me to a Maj Jong party at 5pm. I replied that I'd join, and called Sheila to see if she was going. She declined, but I decided it beat looking at 4 walls.I made queso early, so I'd be ready. The weather cleared off some, so on my way, I stopped for lemons, chips, and Corona beer for myself.

Got there and had a couple of games with Linda L. and Marion. I won the first game, and Linda won the second. A short time later, Linda B. and Marnee joined us, and then the weather got bad again. We started watching the weather, and all of a sudden there were funnel clouds all around. By the way, the party was at Linda L's house, which is 1/2 mile south of my house. The bad weather sirens are 1/2 between our houses, and it went off. She called her hubby and I called Angie to make sure everyone was safe. Gary and Dad were at Black Eyed Peas. Linda L. insisted we all go into her guest bathroom, as she thought it was the safest. We got in, and I remembered I needed to go get my beer. Linda B. needed to go get her lemons, and Marnee needed her camera.

This should tell you that drinking was involved. We all five got in her large guest bathroom, and Marnee tried to take pictures with her iPhone 4 which she'd just gotten. She wanted to try the feature where you look at the screen and take pictures of yourself. There was a bit of a quandry over who could sit on the toilet while we were in "the shelter", but since there is only one toilet, we decided we'd all have to stand up to be fair. Well, that was close to the truth. We finally figured out how to work the camera, and we all refreshed out drinks and got food. Here are the results.

left to right: Marnee, Linda B, Marion (squatting down), Me, and Linda L

The weather problem was over by the time we all got situated for the picture. Oh well, we managed to survive, probably because we were in the bathroom. I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that it passed us.

We played MJ until around 9:30 when Larry came home. They both work, so we had to leave early. Of we all headed. Oh, before I forget.... Sharon M called from Canada. Found out she has a boyfriend and is, to quote a friend, like a 5th grader in love. I never did figure it out, but didn't ask for clarification.

My knee replacement surgery got scheduled for Oct. 20. I have been moving Dad's pending Dr. appointments around so I can take him before my surgery. Finally got my pre-op appointments scheduled, and the surgeon doing the porcedure called yesterday and had me move it to the 27th. I rescheduled a few things, then Angie called and raised cane cause she's unavailable for that time, as it the assisting doctor. Had to end up moving it to Oct. 13, so there goes my 70's party I was having. Another year, perhaps.

Anyway, long story short, my knee replacement surgery is Oct 13, and I'll be in the hospital for 3 days. If all goes well, I'll go home and have home health care for 3 weeks, then if all goes well, I can start physical therapy in a regular place. I am NOT looking forward to being housebound 24X7 for 3 weeks. I'm sure there is no explanation needed for everyone. Hopefully, Janice (my sister that lives in Houston) will be able to come stay for a week or so. That would most certainly put an end to any boredness that would normally occur. NOTHING is boring when she's around.

Last Sunday, Sheila had an "end of season" pool party. The Fab Five, minus Gerry, were there with their spouses, as well as Carlos and Sue.

Gary, Clay and Sheila play bocce ball.

The rest of us, like Sue, Carlos and Mark, loll around.

Sheila made Margarita's, and of couse, Carlos and I brought Mexican appetizers. He brought home made hot sauce and nacho cheese and fixings. I brought Central Market Hatch Chili Hot Sauce, and Hatch Chili Pesto. Clay fell in love with the Pesto. We all ate it on chips like a dip. It is on the hot side, but ohhhh sooooo yummy.

Mark, as always, "manned" the grill for burgers and chicken.

Sue and Carlos are a natural fit for our group. She has a great sense of humor, and he's a talker. Speaking of a talker...... here's Gary.

He was taking a break from bocce ball. Why would he need a break? Because it's a back breaking sport. (I know, you thought I'd say ball busting.....gotcha!)

Clay finally pooped out, and Sheila started kitchen duty.

Carlos and Gary ended up playing one another. Sheila and I got in the pool. It was a little too cool for everyone else..... 80 degrees. It was really okay once you got in and waited for an hour or so. We dined on Mark's great grilling, and Sue's bean dish. Sheila asked her to bring it, and I'm glad Sheila did. We'd had it before, and it was soooo good. Once again, it was healthy and great tasting.

We talked to Sue about her and Clay's pending move to Virginia. They have sold their house, will close the end of Sept., and have leased the house back for one month. That will give then time to find a house in Va., and then they can get everything closed up and moved. We are going to miss them. Clay and Sue have always moved around, they think of it as an adventure. I honestly can understand that. Gary and I moved around about every 5 years with SBC/ATT. You do sort of enjoy it. Now, however, I'd be hard pressed to move, cause ATT won't be paying someone to pack us up and move everything.

That's about it. I have done nonthing all day. I'm on Gary's PC, cause my PC won't boot up, no matter what I do. I made the mistake of adding 5 "important" updates to Vista last night. Damn, just when everything was going ok. I called Angie, and she'll come over when she gets off and see if she can fix it. In the mean time, it's Gary's pc, and he doesn't like me using it. GASP!