Kia Spectra

I think I've had this vehicle before.

A side note...Hertz now takes the card hanging thing that has the contract in it to recycle. Applause to Hertz.

Kia Spectra is a compact sedan. Mine seemed to be a bit worse for the wear. It was kind of dirty and something had really marked up the passenger seat.

There was a pretty bad ice storm and the Kia did okay. But I really wouldn't want to be in an accident. It felt like riding around in very thin tin can on wheels.

Really nothing good nor bad about this one. I think it would have a difficult time if four adults were in at the same time.

Friends in Dallas

Best week in Dallas.

On Tuesday got to see my friend John Arnone and the show in designed the scenery for at Dallas Theater Center. The show is a world premiere and uses text from Genesis and interviews with biblical and non-biblical scholars.

I had done a show with one of the actors, Hassan Al-Amin. I couldn't remember which show but he could - Dream on Monkey Mountain. That was 1994!

John introduced me to several colleagues and friends before and after the show.

Also got to have dinner with John and his friends (now mine, too ), Pat and Judy Kelly, last night. We went to a restaurant in the popular Uptown area of Dallas.

It was so nice to spend some time in the city that wasn't work time.

The ice finally arrived

The fear of an ice storm was all the talk in Dallas today. At the client site that's all that was being talked about.

Employees were released at 2pm. Many schools closed today. It was only raining.

I went to see my friend John Arnone's show at Dallas Theater Center tonight. Still only raining.

Then just before 10pm the storm finally arrived. Freezing rain and sleet made walking back to the car tricky.

I'd rather have snow than ice any time.

Back in Dallas

Flew to Dallas for work today. Aunt Donna was on my flight as she was connecting in Dallas to get to Wichita. The flight was full and we weren't able to sit together.

Mom's flight home was through St. Louis. It took off about an hour after Aunt Donna and mine.

Jill and Alicia returned to Oregon last night.

Back in the USA

Made it back last night around 11:00pm. Were actually early. Customs was easy and I think everyone has gotten home.

It was -1 Fahrenheit when we landed. It was in the upper 70's in Cozumel.

Mom and Donna head to their homes tomorrow, Monday. And I'm heading back to Dallas for work. Donna and I are on same flight to Dallas. Mom flies through St. Louis.

Leaving for the airport

Been busy. No blog updates until today. Here's is attempt to catch up...

The last entry was about last Sunday. Monday is when Jenny Batten arrived. Girls went shopping downtown. Jenny arrived a little early and was up in room talking with Marlin.

Hard to remember what we did which day or night. Mom and Donna, now known as the "Madonnas," can't remember either. They are sitting here trying to help me. Not so much.

Each evening most of the group gathered for happy hour at the pool and watched the sunset picture.

It was windy Tuesday and Wednesday. There was a plan to go on glass bottom boat and snorkeling but too windy.

Tuesday we gathered to watch the inauguration. The hotel staff was very interested in watching, too.

Wednesday we rented a minivan and eight of us went to the other side of the island. Saw crocodiles (cocodrilos). Walked up the light house which someone said they weren't going to do (that would be Mom). Took an open bus/truck thing to a beautiful beach and snorkled.
Used the same the same eight passenger minivan to take ELEVEN people to Pancho's Backyard...a nice restaurant near hotel. Donna got the fun ride.

Thursday was a calmer day and glass bottom boat ride happened. Here is the very small glass bottom boat. Donna was not too thrilled with the boat. She was very brave and thought for sure it was going to a bigger boat. It didn't.

It was a wet and wild ride. Passed the big cruise ships on way to see fish and coral. Jenny, Jill, Alicia, Bunny and I snorkeled from boat and Mom, Donna and Pat Quinn watched through glass bottom (hog trough).

Friday Jenny returned to Minnesota. Marlin, Jill, Alicia, Pat Quinn and I went to Chankanab, the national park where we could snorkel.

At some point during the week Kathy Just, Jill, Donna, Amy and Pat Quinn got sick at various times and for lengths.

Rose, Pat Quinn, Loretta and Kathy have already left for airport. They are on the 3pm flight. The rest of us fly out at 7pm.

The birthday gang

So you know who people are that I refer to.

Linda and JT


Jill and Alicia


Jenny Batten


Amy, Kathy and Loretta



Rose


Pat Quinn and Bunny


Marlin, Gracie and Donna