Window washing

We decided to have our windows in the park model washed. We had noticed that there seemed to be a film on the glass -- we think inside -- possibly from off-gassing of materials inside the house during the summer when the air conditioning is not on. We didn't know how long it had been since they had been washed, so it was time... 

The fellow who did the windows also lives in our community.

He did a great job -- taking all the screens off and cleaning them, cleaning the window sills, and cleaning the windows inside and out. Several of the windows required being up on a ladder, and we were glad not to have to do that. It is amazing how much brighter it is inside the house!

Volunteer appreciation event

The Activity Director, Kimberly, hosted a Volunteer Appreciation Event for those who had volunteered during the season...

Kimberly kicked off the event with thanks to all of us who had volunteered during the season. The entertainment was by a young lady comedienne and she had a slide up with Senior Citizen Texting Code.

The "snacks" were sub sandwiches and fixin's -- very good.

There was a good group of folks there for the event.

The comedienne was self-proclaimed "famous" and "seen on national TV" which she proved by showing a screen capture of her in the audience in an Arizona Diamondbacks game!

The comedienne was enjoyable, she provided a lot of "senior" humor (she obviously does a lot of shows in senior housing communities!). It was nice for the Activity Office to recognize those who help to provide services to others in the community.

Springtime romance

Even though the weather feels like summer to us winter visitors, it is springtime for the local residents...

We had our sliding glass door open, and we could hear some "billing and cooing" going on -- there was a pair of doves on the railing of our front porch.

I moved to another window to try to get away from taking the picture through the screen...

You can also see the yard decor of the house across the street.

Love is in the air!

End-of-year concert

The end-of-year event was a concert by an Eagles tribute band, Eagle Eyes.

We had gone over earlier in the afternoon and set our chairs up. Just before the event, we helped with parking before the event started.

We had set up our chairs toward the side of the stage area -- we didn't have the highest fidelity sound, but it wasn't as loud as the areas right in front.

We were sitting with other line dancers, and we danced in the area behind where we were seated.

Carl went out in front of the stage to take some pictures and experience the sound from the front area.

He said that even at the back of the seating area, it was still quite loud but the sound quality was very good.

This was the last evening that Pamela and Dylan would be with us -- they would leave early the next morning to return to Albuquerque. Carl took a selfie in our house -- I have Miss Kitty, and Dylan has some miniature tomatoes that we got from a friend in our Rooted group -- for snacks on their drive home.

We enjoy taking advantage of the activities around our community.

Parking duties for year-end event

The Ham Radio club helped with directing parking for the end-of-year event in our community at the sportsplex...

Carl took this picture from down at the end of the golf cart parking. Roger (a new Ham and tenant on our RV lot this season) and I were up at the area where people could stop to unload their golf carts before they would go for parking (you may be able to see Roger and me in the yellow vests at the end of the asphalt area).

The golf cart parking almost totally full

Ervin, VO Amateur Radio Club President, rode around on the golf cart making sure we had coverage in all necessary areas. When we started needing to park golf carts further out beyond the tennis courts, he would give rides back to the seating area to those who couldn't walk the distance.

The Ham Radio Club helps with various events through the season. It is helpful as they are able to communicate via their radios and get people to help in a different area as needed.

Dad and daughter Indian food chow-down

While Pamela was visiting, on Monday, Dylan was working remotely, and I was leading a review class of absolute beginner line dancers, so Carl took advantage of having a person who enjoys Indian food to go out with him...

Carl's plate

Pamela and Carl at Guru Palace Indian Buffet Restaurant

I'm glad he got an Indian food fix!

As the season winds down...

Once March starts, we're officially in "wind down" season around Venture Out. There are constant questions of, "When are you leaving?" as people prepare to return to their homes in other parts of North America.

The block where our RV lot and casa are located is an active block with regular block parties about once a month. Even though we are no longer living on the block during the season, we're only a block away, and they still welcome us joining their parties. The last one of the season was on Sunday, March 22...

The host for the party arranged for The Outlaws, a band made up of residents of Venture Out who also happen to be former law enforcement officers (thus the name), to entertain.

Cooper, the dog of our friends, Don and Linda, was auditioning for a position with the band. I guess since he isn't former law enforcement and since he can't play an instrument, he didn't get a place in the band (besides which Don was demanding that he return home!). (Cooper is the sweetest dog ever!)

Carl's youngest daughter, Pamela, and her husband, Dylan, drove over from Albuquerque for a few day visit -- they got to participate in several activities around the community -- including the block party!

Some of our friends at the block party -- we were all seeking shade as the temps were over 100F -- we were thankful when the sun went down enough that we had shade and the temperature began cooling.

Some of the block party participants enjoying the band...

Another view of folks enjoying the band -- note that they are all clustered in the shade!

Taylor was hosting the party...

The pot luck was set up on his driveway.

Folks enjoying the potluck -- 

There were quite a number of folks from the block (800 Douglas) as well as other friends participating. Taylor had the 800 block of Douglas folks introduce themselves and share how they ended up at Venture Out.

Phil was playing his "air guitar cane" at one point during the evening.

It was a fun time to get together with friends, and we were glad that being in the desert means that the temperature drops quickly once the sun goes down (and, even when the sun is up and it is hot, being in the shade can be comfortable, particularly if there is a breeze!).