Jan 8th, Issue 02 ? OUR WINTER IS HALF OVER

Diary published weekly since May 2001 ? we?re well into year #10.
Plus we?re beginning our 26th Year of Fulltime Travels and still counting

Hi All: My how time flies when you are having fun. I can not believe we have less than 2 months left here. Our departure date is the 1 Mar when we begin our leisurely trek to Perry, GA. So far the Rio Grande Valley has had a great start to the winter climate wise; although they are threatening cold and severe storms tonight but my computer says it will be sunny into the mid 70?s. However the weather guy on my computer lies so much, I guess we will play the wait and see card. Our park and many others were very vacant until the 2 Jan but most sites are filling up rapidly. We even have neighbours in a big 2011 45 footer with full wall slide.

Much of my free time has been spent putting my extensive Handouts together for FMCA ? I also plan to add them to RVLiving.net for all to see. Next I will tackle the editing of my PPT seminars. I last presented these 2-years ago but everything changes from one time to the next plus I have so much more to share. New things constantly surface that I want to add.

Just a reminder the All Valley RV Show will take place the 13, 14, 15 Jan at the RGV Livestock Showground?s. Admission is $5 but $1 off coupons are available in several newspapers and RV Parks. It is not a big show but worth a visit. All Cda RV Shows plus many USA shows are featured here http://www.rvliving.net/showpage.htm I am also working a Craft Show at our park on Tues 11th plus our previous park at Alamo Palms is hosting a Craft Sale on the 12th. Not sure when I will get some work done.

I finally sent the notices out for the Explorer RV Clubs Jan Luncheon. On Jan 27th we meet at the Crazy International Buffet on 400 Nolana St in McAllen. If anyone in the RGV wants to join us ? either Club Members or Guests, please let me know. We have a fun time socializing with other Cdn RVers. At Luby?s we had attendees from 4 provinces and 12 parks. We would love to have others in the valley partake in the fun.

Today SATURDAY John and I are busy spot painting some areas on our Grand Am. We planned to have the entire car painted but the estimate was between $1350 (same colour) to $2000 (new colour). There is nothing wrong with ours the way it is ? she is just showing a few day to day boo boos. Our touch-ups will suffice since we have so many more places to put that amount of cash.

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OTHER EVENTS THIS PAST WEEK

Until TUESDAY I was busy at home. Then it was a quick shop to restock the larder before returning to work. WEDNESDAY was the first day we ventured out. (I really hate being chained to my computer). So we visited Camping World in Mission. I have to say they seem to have recovered this year over last. At least the shelves for the most part were not empty like they were Dec 2009. John is searching for replacement 17? x 80lbs or 90 lbs gas struts and at this point he has not found them. CW didn?t have them either. Anyone who can shed light on his search he would really appreciate it. We also stopped at our favourite collision centre for the car paint estimate on our way home. That is why we are doing our own paint touch-ups.

THURSDAY it was time to play a bit so we visited Target (not our normal store) ? John was on a quest to find shorts and golf shirts. It was a successful stop ? he found several. Next we joined good friends Bonnie and Doug for lunch at the Logan?s steakhouse – always a good meal at that eatery (two locations in McAllen) and a super visit when the four of us get together. To make the day even better, that afternoon I was able to send my Seminar Handouts off to FMCA. At least that is one task I can check off my long list. FRIDAY arrived fast this week ? one more time but I used the day to send out luncheon notices. Plus I also posted NY Eve Pictures and a special album of our neighbour Bill and Luella new home. http://picasaweb.google.com/rv.lifetstyle.consultants Bill is a retired shop teacher and he is putting all his techniques into play by building a huge enclosed Texas Room. Their Class C will nestle behind huge sunscreens. It will be beautiful when he finishes it. In my life there is always something that needs catch-up but I do not undertake projects of his magnitude.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

We have not heard of any mega weather disturbance this week other than very cold weather in the southwest and west part of this continent so that is good news. Life in the Valley has been good but since we have passed our halfway point John already has our route north planned out. We are both extensive planners and I think that is as a result of our military careers. It is difficult to find new things to see to make our journeys fresh and interesting but John always manages to find them. For sure he does a super job as a trip planner. Must go for now guys. Sure hope everyone has a fantastic winter. The kind that if you want snow you have it ? and if warmer temps are expected they too will be in the forecast. Travel safe wherever you travel ? as my sister Nancy says ?Never drive faster than your Guardian Angel can fly. Take care P&J

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TIPS THIS WEEK

Dave Hunter, author of ALONG INTERSTATE 75 has a new issue out. Anyone travelling from Ontario to the Florida Border needs this fantastic mile-by-mile guide book. Dave shares Insider Hints and Money Saving Tips, Lodging and Restaurant suggestions plus Sites to See en route. This guide breaks the trip up into easy read 25 mile TripTic style stretches. Drive as far as you wish ? easy to see the distance at a glance. Now anyone can even take a test drive and download a few pages for free. Go to http://www.i75online.com/ To see more click on Downloads and Freebies. In a word this book and its companion publication ALONG FLORIDA?S EXPRESSWAYS are both loaded.

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This bit of humour from Bill F ? 2 of 15 – GRANDKIDS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS
*** Grandma was in the bathroom, putting on makeup, under the watchful eyes of her young granddaughter, as she’d done many times before. After applying her lipstick she started to leave, the little one said, “But Grandma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!” I will probably never put lipstick on again without thinking about kissing the toilet paper good-bye….

*** My Grandparents are funny, when they bend over you hear gas leaks ? they blame their dog.

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Regular National GAS PRICES have held at $3.09 but in the RGV we still pay $2.89. Costs continue to remain lower in the valley so far. Hope it lasts.

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*** John H sent an email asking about the STATE OF SAFETY IN PROGRESSO due to Cartel violence. He wondered if that utopia had dried up and was it still a Gem.
*** My A? Sorry John, I have talked to family and friends about Progresso so often I thought I had written about it here to. Progresso is as safe as any place can be. No one can guarantee that any place in the world is safe but that community with the help of the Marines is very comforting. Cars are being checked going INTO Mexico because the Cartel are using American guns. Some days it?s busier than others but this is still early in the season. When I went to my hair dresser at 9:30 a week ago, I was the first one there – within an hour 10 people were having pedicures /manicures. I expect it will soon begin to pick up everywhere. Some Winter Texans will no longer cross over, but many of us feel very comfortable south of the bridge. It?s still a fascinating place. We have not eaten there much this year but many times that has to do with a dental, Botox or hair appointment times that get in the way of meal times. Hope this helps some.

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Dennis shared the value of using ICE on your CELL PHONE CONTACT LIST. I spell it out as In Case of Emergency. Verizon has provisions to add more than one name ? we have 3 contacts listed. If your phone does not have this option scheduled simply add ICE and list several phone numbers. For Rescue Staff the Cell can be a valuable asset during any emergency but without some indication who to call it may be worthless info. This is a program designed by Rescue Personal ? Please share this simple info with everyone.

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PROMOS THIS WEEK

GOOGLE RV ALERTS that I receive daily.

*** Big Jan sale of RV Covers http://www.nationaldiscountcovers.com/?Click=68704
*** Many posts simply highlighted that RV Sales are on the increase. Name brand units are slowly recovering and RV Shows are busy. Maybe there is hope yet. Go RVing.Ca reported Cdn *** RV Sales increased 21% in 2010. http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/arch … c8513.html

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RV TRAVEL NEWSLETTER? http://rvtravel.com/issue463.shtml- Where to safely carry extra Propane Cylinders? USA Nat?l Parks add more FREE days in 2011? Use your motorhome as an ?Angel Bus? to transport Medical Patients? Replacing gas struts? Stretching watts and amps while boondocking? Death Valley, CA overview? What is required to be a F/Ter? RV Damage due to tire failure? High level of Fifth Wheel models are on the rise these days ? are there too many available for the market?? Is it easy to do laundry on the move?… Minimising water use for boondocking? Can I paint RV vinyl walls?? Improve fridge operation?

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RV UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER http://www.rvuniversity.com/article.php … 3112322250 share a FREE Video. It is easy to register for Mark?s new Safety E-Course called RV SAFETY MATTERS? follow simple steps to sign-up… Highlights includes? Fire Safety Tips & CO Safety tips plus more? Worth signing up for this e-safety course.
*** Every RVer ? especially those new to this lifestyle NEED Mark Polk?s easy to use ‘GO FOR THE RV GOLD’ program ? it?s the most superior one-of-a-kind RV course available. Take your time to finish the lessons at your own pace or complete it over time ? the low $149.85 can be a one-time fee or stretched over 3-months. It offers over 45 one-on-one RV training videos, 50 feature articles, 60 RV tips plus more. Info? http://www.rvliving.net/RVEducation101contestpage.htm
*** RV LIVING IS AN AFFILIATE for that outstanding program plus everything on the RVEd101.com site. The RV lifestyle is so much more enjoyable when you understand the ins and outs of your RV. The additional line of DVD?s, E-books and Videos from RVEd101.com cover every known RV subject. Full info? http://www.rvliving.net/RVEducation101contestpage.htm

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PEGGI’S BOOKS

WOW – We are into our 25th year of life on the move and it is still a joyful way to live. To relay that we have ?been there, done that? in most situations is an understatement. My Print Book/E-Books offer mega tips and hints to simplify your getaways. Details on http://www.rvliving.net

**** RV LIVING IN THE 21ST CENTURY the Essential Reference Guide For ALL RVers ? it is a ?must? for everyone. This is not a book on Fulltiming instead it features mega tips on ?How to RV?? 21st Century is loaded with info from buying your first RV to going away for short or extended getaways or even info for Fulltimers.

**** NOTE Several Dealers in Southern ONTARIO have autographed copies of my books in their part stores. Ask your dealer to contact me if they are out or don?t stock this helpful publication. No shipping or waiting if buying direct.

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