Busy, Busy, Busy

Since my last post on the 22nd of July, I have been very busy.

I cut down on my pickleball for a week to see if that helped my shoulder problem and it did.  I don't think it is a torn rotators cup but I do think it is overuse.  If I can cut down on some of the days that I play it will be better but that is hard for me to do, too much fun.

Summary of the last two weeks:

July 27th  Wed- Don and Kenna decided to get the heck out of heat in TX and come for a visit.  It was great to see them because they hadn't been here for about 10 yrs.  Way too long. They loved it! and I had plans for them.

July 28th Thurs- Took them to learn pickleball.  They both liked it and I thought they did very well.  It usually takes several days for anyone to adjust to the altitude. I also took pictures on Kenna's camera but failed to get them off for my blog.  Not very smart.
Afternoon naps were next on the agenda, then that evening we went to the Flying J Ranch for an evening of music and food.

Kenna and Don ready for the show

We went with a group of about 8 other pickleball friends

Dan and Don discussing the world problems

Me with my mouth open. It can't be!! and with Sharon Allen

A real cowgirl from TX, so cute

Sharon and Dan's granddaughter, Ella on the horse.

Jerry McDermott and Dan Allen

The Don's waiting for the show

Fellow pickleballers, Linda McDermott and Ora Marie, one of the older players

Gunfight!!

Flying J Wranglers putting on a show.  Great!!  Second time this summer we have gone.

July 29th Fri- Sent Don Denson with Don, Paula (Don's sister) and Marshall Pura on a hike up Sierra Blanca the ski mountain.  Wasn't sure how Don D would make it but he and Paula were about the same speed and Don and Marshall took it pretty slow.  They went up to Ice Springs and then on to the Lookout to check on a geocache that we have up there.  It needed some maintenance. No pictures on the hike. They hiked about 5 miles up the mountain.  When they got up there they discovered the gondola was open and they could ride down on it free.  They jumped at the chance.  In fact Paula and Don D stayed there while Don and Marshall went on to the top to check on the geocache.  Everyone finished in good shape.

Kenna and I had a different exciting day. Kenna wanted me to check to see if she could get into my Chiropractor and I got her an appointment at 10:30.  We had some time to kill so we were going to shop a few stores.  We went by two and they both didn't open until 10:00 and it was about 9:30.  I decided to drive out to Grindstone Lake and look around and see if they were catching any fish.  The lake is very low but we got out of the car and walked along the edge and talked to a few fishermen and then walked back to the car.  I was driving Kenna's car and I turned it on and no juice.  Sounded like the battery was dead and she confirmed that was probably it.  It was 10:15 at this time and we were going to be late to the Chiropractor because we had no jumper cables.  I decided to call Raymond ( Paula's husband) but discovered I didn't have his phone #. Then thought to call Sharon(my friend) to see if she could come jump us, she could.  Called the Chiropractor and canceled the appointment.  About that time two different cars drove up and asked if we needed help. Two older guys with wives in the backseat got out and couldn't have been more helpful.  They hooked up the batteries with jumper cables but it wouldn't start, and the men decided there was a bigger problem.  Kenna kept saying no I think it is the battery.  She had had some problems in the past.  Finally after trying a few more times it hit and started. Hooray!!  I called Sharon and told her she didn't have to come.
Off we went and planned to go to Walmart and get a new battery.  On the way, there was a shop we wanted to stop at.  So we pulled in I killed the car and restarted it to see if it would start.  It Did!  I had a hair appointment at 12:00.  So we went in to shop and stayed about an hour.  We bought a few things and when Kenna went to pay she couldn't find her Debit card that had been in her pocket.  We looked in the store and then in the car.  Couldn't find it.  Finally she checked her other pocket and there it was.  Hooray!!  It was 11:45, next stop was my much awaited hair appointment.  Turned the car on, it didn't start.  Panic set in.  I called Sharon again and asked her to come.  She was about 15 min. away.  Kenna went in the store again and called Western Auto to come and jump us.  I called the hairdresser and told her I would be a little late!!
We were expecting the jump to take about 30 min to an hour to get there.  No, he was there in 5 min., started it and we thanked him.  I called Sharon again and told her she didn't have to come.  I was worried she wouldn't ever speak to me again.
I got to the hair appointment about 10 min. late and Kenna went on to Walmart and got a new battery.  They only had one that fit her car.  She was back to pick me up by the time I was finished with my appointment. 
It was quite an exciting and stressful morning.
To relieve our stress we went shopping.  That helped!!

Went to Catfish buffet for dinner and western dance band afterward.

July 30th Sat- 6:00 am Don D, Don N, Paula, Marshall and Sharon went to White Sands on a tour of the Lake Lucero that started at 8:00.  This lake was where the White Sands started. It was a 3 hour tour.  They wouldn't be back until 1:30 PM.

Don and Paula at Lake Lucero

That is Don under that hat and he is standing in the dry lake bed

 Kenna and I went to Garage Sales first and then did a little more shopping.  We had an easier day.

After dinner, Don D., Kenna, Sharon and I went to the Casino.  We drove two cars because I knew I wouldn't last as long as they did.  Sharon and I played our $10 dollars for about and hour and a half and then decided to head home.  We lost it all.  As we were heading out the door, Sharon said to me that they were calling her name on the intercom to go to the security office.  I hadn't heard the announcement because it was so loud in there with all the machines singing.  We headed to the security office not knowing why. As we approached the desk, I saw a copy of her drivers license on the table & a billford.  He asked her if she had any ID and she answered, as she was looking at her billford, that it was all in there.  At that time she realized her billford was missing.  She hadn't missed it.  The security guard said that someone had found it and had given it to the wrong person and that she needed to check it to see if everything was there.  She was shaking by this time.  Her husband had gone back to TX for wk and all her money and credit cards were in that billford.  Everything was there!  The guard said she was very lucky to get it back.  He had her sign some papers and gave it to her. She walked out of there feeling like a WINNER!!!  She decided that she had taken some money out of it and set it on her lap and when she got up it dropped on the floor.  She never missed it and we nearly didn't hear them calling her name.  She was LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY!!

Kenna and Don won some and lost some but had fun!!

July 31st Sun-  Worked with Kenna on website they are setting up to sale items.  They are hoping to earn some extra money with Don managing the website & shipping, while Kenna goes back to school.  Our main activity today was going to the Ruidoso Downs racetrack for the Zia Futurity.  Our friend, Marshall Pura, is the father in law to the Paul Jones.  Paul is one of the main owners and  trainer at racetrack.  Marshall had invited us to join him as his guest in the Jockey Club.  He had named a horse that was running in the 9th race, Erasmus B Dragon.  This horse had the fastest qualifying time in the race.  We were all going to bet heavily on the horse and he was inviting people to join him in the winners circle. 

We met him in the restaurant, and he was extremely nervous and stressed. 

He had high hopes for this horse.  We got our racing forms and starting trying to figure out some bets on the races.  He was explaining everything along the way.  He was quite the tour guide.  Kenna and Don caught on fast and were placing their bets.

He took us up to the Jockey Club and got us seated with great views. We bet something on all the races.  Kenna and Don won several bets.  Don and I didn't but Marshall explained all the different ways to bet and we tried them all.

Our view of the finish line

After about four races he told us he was taking us on a field trip, up to the announcers room.  He was a personal friend of the announcer, Robert Fox.  Off we went.

We were so excited and listening to every word

Robert was studying for the next race. He had a photographic memory.

He was preparing for the next race and trying to ignore us

Sharon tried out the binoculars

We were told to be quiet and watch

He is calling the race!

Our view of the finish line in the announcers booth

Little guy with a big voice, Robert Fox

 We headed back to the seats to prepare our bets for the 9th race.  The BIG ONE!!  Placed our bets early so we could go down to the paddock and see the horses saddled and jockey mounts.  After the 8th race we raced down to the paddock.

Heading to the paddock through the tunnel under the racetrack

Paddock area and taking pictures of  Erasmus B Dragon #10

Group photo of fans

Waiting on the Jockey

Jockey, Esgar Ramirez

Ready to Race!

We had to race back to our seats before the race started.  We ran!!

We had our bets in and we were ready to race!

The horses were in the gates and one fell down and had to be scratched.  The horses had to be taken out, settled down and then put back in the gate!

Marshall was worried but confident.  They were off!!  Very exciting race but Erasmus came in second, but then was disqualified for crowding into another horse.  It was so disappointing.

Marshall was devastated and felt bad that we had lost money.  We assured him it was fine and not to worry. We felt bad for him. 

We had a great time at the races and weren't as emotionally involved as he was.  It was a FUN day. 
Nice to know some people in high places!!!

August 1st Mon- Don and Kenna headed for TX about 6:00 am   Don and I headed to pickleball at 8:00

I'm going to bed it is after 1:00 am and I am tired.  Finish soon.