Tuesday, November 27, 2018 - Happy Birthday to Dean!; Lunch with Friends at Downstream;

Tuesday, November 27, 2018 - Happy Birthday to Dean!; Lunch with Friends at Downstream; 

As usual I was up early.  Dean and I decided a few years ago we would not buy birthday cards for each other anymore, so I took the time before he got up to write him a birthday note!

I am so blessed that God put him in my life.  We have such a great time together and enjoy so many of the same things.  He makes every day fun - and we often laugh like little kids over the silliest things.   I couldn't ask for a better mate and best friend to spend the rest of my life with.  Happy birthday Dean!

We are meeting friends near Joplin, Mo at Downstream Casino for lunch at their Spring River Cafe.  We left a little early so we could stop in Chetopa at the Chetopa RV Center, where we purchased our Heartland Big Horn almost 5 years ago.  The LCD panel display for our level up system quit working and our remote that operates a number of things has not worked for quite sometime.  (Fortunately, Dean was able to go through the steps from memory to get the landing gear in place.)  It definitely needs to be repaired before we move Bentley again.  We purchased an extended warranty shortly after we purchased Bentley and it has proved to be worth the money.  However, considering all of our needed repairs, they have been small in comparison to many folks we know or read about today.  Our cost for these two repairs will be freight on the repair parts and the $100 deductible.   We still have a couple of years left on the extended warranty.  Even though our repairs have been small, we've used it at least once a year, and we are near, if not a little over, the break even point for what we paid for it.  

We left with just enough time for us to arrive at Downstream just a few minutes before our meeting time of 11:30, where we joined our friends (Alvin & Linda, Keith & Drena).  After visiting for 20-30 minutes we headed to the buffet.  I noticed a line forming near the Noodle Bar - similar to a Mongolian Grill.  I joined it and enjoyed the best meal I've had here.  I selected vegetables, chicken and steak along with garlic sauce, dark sauce and a touch of sweet chili sauce - on the recommendation of the lady standing next to me.  What a great combination. 

We will be traveling with these two couples in March, which was the purpose of our lunch today, so we could talk about it.  Keith, with input from everyone, has put together what looks to be a fantastic trip.  We are looking forward to it.  We had a great time visiting before, during and after dinner.  As we left, we had to take a few minutes in the parking lot to look Alvin's new truck over.  It's beautiful and should provide a great ride for them on future RV trips.

Dean and I needed to get back so we could pick our granddaughter Haleigh up at school, and we made it just in time!

Misti stopped by later to wish Dean a Happy Birthday, and he received several calls throughout the day.  

This is going to be a busy week with two more trips to Joplin, and one to Wichita this week.  Stay tuned!