CAR AND LUXOR ARE BOTH IN GREAT SHAPE

CAR AND LUXOR ARE BOTH IN GREAT SHAPE - Newsy Issue 7

Diary published weekly since 2001
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Greetings, We have enjoyed a very rewarding week that turned into one super busy 7-days – thankfully it has finally come to a close. I am getting too old to deal with all these changes overnight. BUT our GRAND AM is running smooth and noise free plus our beautiful LUXOR is again in our site at Alamo Palms – Our Kastle looks fantastic. So much went down this week I will try to highlight events one item at time.
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REFLECTING ON OUR INTERESTING WEEK

SUNDAY morning we enjoyed the wonders of Don-Wes flea market – I wanted to pick up the balance of my books from Happy Camper RV Store. This store has had a number of thefts this winter and they did not want a book to ‘walk’. I would have understood, but they would have felt bad. When we came home I played catch-up on numerous computer projects. I am so far behind on commitments this week – cell phone access at Paint Shop was slow plus we have been on such a merry-go-round. In time things will be normal.
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MONDAY afternoon our car was ready from ALIGNMENT MASTERS (956-702-1668). Their Tex/Mex tech did a fantastic job. The noise that came from a broken ‘Fly Wheel’ is now gone –– apparently cogs around the wheel edges sometimes break off, but a large crack is a bit rare. Shop owner Tony suggested that it could be caused by trying to start the car when it was already running. Total cost was a low $525 + tax.
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TUESDAY we began ‘running’ at 6 AM – first chore was to pack up the coach and drop it off at the VALLEY TRUCK AND VAN COLLISION SHOP to have the bottom painted, (It looks fantastic by the way but I will go into details later in this post.)

Immediately we were on the move to Mexico for my 12 Noon appointment for a ROOT CANAL with ‘Doctora Judith’. This talented lady is a professional JEWEL like few others. She has patience, she’s gentle & extremely caring as to your pain level plus overall she is an excellent dentist. As an ex-dental assistant I can honestly say I have NEVER been a patient of, nor have I assisted a professional of her caliber. Since she is a recent graduate; she stopped at various steps in the procedure to verify her diagnostic x-rays with Dr Pablo – the ‘overall boss’. Lauren, the English-speaking Office Manager filled out all my Insurance forms so all I have to do is to send them in to claim my refund. A root canal for a front tooth (not a double root tooth) was only $150.00 (my two white fillings of last week were $25. each). New office & equipment, great staff overseen by an experienced Dr with treatment at super low prices – what more could any Winter Texan ask for? My 4-unit, bridge ($400), has been put on hold till November. However all teeth are restored so they will not cause me pain before then. CLINIC LOCATION – (Dr Pablo Verastegui Clinic, Av. Benito Juarez #221 (on the exit side of Progresso–2 blocks from the bridge – Ph.Tx-956 376 8987, Mx - 011-52-899-937-00-53).

While in Mexico ‘Alphonso’ painted our INTERNET DISH to match the mural on our coach. It is beautiful. Depending on Dish size and detail costs will range from $30-$60 – both sides can be painted, As long as these talented ex-graffiti ‘artists’ use acrylic paint with NO LEAD in them, the Dish reception is not compromised. See picture of our newly painted Dish above... During this rush visit there was no time for a leisurely lunch.

We made it back to pick up the rental car at Alamo Palms, make a quick stop by the paint shop before we joined our neighbours for a STREET PARTY AT LAS MARGARITAS in Pharr. Nice restaurant with good food – but they served no Margaritas. We returned to the paint shop to spend the night. All storage pod doors were raised while the sides were drying where the corners were re-attached. Sleeping in the MH was a good idea – BUD their lovable guard dog (caged) protected us throughout the night.
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Owner Ben even gave me the gate key so I could leave at 6:30 AM to work a Craft Sale at Alamo Palms on the WEDNESDAY – one more early start to a long day. I love working these events because it’s fun to be able to talk to everyone. All I sell is my Antique Jewelry and my books but I can be creative during the sale by making more craft pieces, which adds to a fun event, plus I had a very successful day,

Next stop was to return the rental car. If we had decided to bring it back early, our inexpensive weekly rate could have reverted to a more costly daily fee. We then celebrated with another tasty lunch at Logan’s Roadhouse – neat restaurant – good food. At 3 PM the INTERSTATE TRUCK installed new coach engine batteries. ($330.) Yes when it rains, it pours, but our previous batteries no longer would hold a charge. Borrowing the park charger before each start-up was a pain. Not sure why those 2.5-year old ‘hearts’ gave up – in time we will understand?

During our afternoon check-in at the paint shop, we discovered that they would be painting till 7:30 PM, so off we went for a long drive and more shopping. We didn’t know where the movie theatres were so we opted for the malls. Could have asked?
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THURSDAY morning we were off to the Harlingen IHOP to meet good friends Trudy and Rod from Waterloo, ON They were on their way back to sister Nancy’s in Austin and will return to Canada for early March. Their time in the valley was so short, we were very happy that you guys fit us in. John and I headed to South Padre Island to check out possible sites to celebrate our Anniversary on the 20th. We were impressed with the Radisson Hotel (thanks Trudy for the recommendation) those plans are still up in the air.

Because I kept adding extras at the paint shop such as around the edge of our mural because it would not take a shine – there was no Gel oat on it – Ben’s quote was to fix 3-doors and ended up repairing 5. So this 3-day restoration was taking longer – when the painter was unhappy with the finish on one storage pod door, he removed it for a repaint in the paint shop. In a word it would be very late on Thursday before it was finished. We decided that a night in a Motel 6 – away from paint fumes – would make sleeping easier.

COSTS for this outstanding job were extremely reasonable. Our original estimate was $1600.00 but even after attending to my several additional wants, it was still only $1900 (Masking and painting around the mural was time–consuming). A friend in NC who also owns a LUXOR was quoted $4000.00 more than us. Ben has access to a team of professionals that can enhance everything from painting a small car to restoring a luxury RV. Next year I hope to have the LUXOR dash recovered. VALLEY TRUCK AND VAN, 812E HACKBERRY, MCALLEN 956 618 3333 can do it all!
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FRIDAY we returned to Alamo Palms just in time for me to ‘dress-up’ to attend the Park LADIES LUNCHEON/PARK STYLE SHOW – it was a fun rewarding gathering where the men served the ladies a tasty chicken salad lunch – (pictures to be posted soon). Three stores featured their line of clothes. John played in the Pool Tournament against Victoria Palms – Alamo Palms hosted this week,
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FINAL THOUGHTS

Sure glad we do not experience too many weeks that are this busy or this costly. I am too old to be dealing with all of this stuff at once. But now Our LUXOR is beautiful – all the extras have been taken care of. We have brand new engine batteries, the car has had a complete physical with the engine out and my root canal/fillings should give me a summer free of dental pain. We did spend big bucks this week, but the Good Lord willing, we should be able to coast for the next while. Hope the world is treating each of you well. With luck, all that snow up north will soon stop falling and the temps will warm up.

Travel safe guys P&J