Tuesday in the U.P.

[Colliemom]

Good Morning from Michigan's West Central Upper Peninsula,

Got here late yesterday afternoon. Ran into a stretch of snow packed and rough road for about 50 miles I would say, so slowed me down. They had some heavy wet snow in the area on Sunday night. It was pretty, but.... First time driving on winter roads is always a bit nervous. Also had to pass through a week "clipper" system that was making some light snow. Once past that though, clear sailing. So in all it was only say about 50 miles out of the 270 mile drive. As to snow, there is but a trace of it here. People assume that just because it's farther north, they have more then we get down home, but no always the case. The physical makeup of Michigan's geography, the locations from the lakes etc. play big factors in determining he weather. At home I am about 60 miles inland from Lake Michigan so just right for it to dump lake effect. Sometimes if winds are right we can even have some down from Lake Superior and Huron. Up here they are a bit farther inland from Lake Superior, have a mountain range in the area and need strong NE winds to bring lake effect off Lake Superior, so a lot of the snow comes from storm systems going by. Snow doesn't really get serious here till well in to December.

Carolb, how wonderful it is that you have been surprising everybody. Wonderful. Glad you and Donna had such a great time. Here we all though you were heading west and you were actually heading down into the depths of FL. Now you are having fun visiting Irmi. Lyn ,sorry knee is bothering you so much. I'e had a couple of arthroscopic surgeries but see no knee replacement in my future. My chiropractor keeps me "tuned up" as I call it and it's been great. Few times when I have had really sore knee has either been due to something in my lower back needing an adjustment and one time I actually had the knee cap slip out of place How the doc can do something for you. Irmi, have fun with Carolb, she is such a hoot! Cherl, glad you see you post. Hope you are enjoying your week off.

Well, need to get a move on here. Molly walking time as no fenced area here, then heading back to Marquette to do some shopping. So wil be a busy day. You all have a nice one too.

[havingfunnow]

Sue, you're in the UP and having fun already!

[Othersharon]

Good morning! Already been out for hair appointment and need to get going soon to appointment for car inspection and oil change. Running day! Sue, glad you made it through the stretch of bad weather and are getting settled for the next while. Carolb, glad the secret is finally out! And so glad it all worked out! So much fun! Donna, glad you were able to enjoy an adventure with Carol! Looking forward to some pictures. Lyn, take care of your knees. I've been watching a friend battle it and he's having surgery soon. It's been affecting his whole body. Cheryl, I know what you mean about Melissa's knowledge. I met her in PA 2 summers ago, right after I got Lola and ask a few questions but didn't know Lola well enough to ask the right questions! Cheryl, enjoy your time off! Always anxious to get Lola home if she is away from home! Nice to see Vickie posting again. And Liz, wonderful pictures! Well, not much else going on here and I need to get moving. Things to do! At least I'm not cooking dinner Thurs. Going to oldest son's house for dinner! And I always bring home leftovers! Yum, a turkey sandwich! Think I like the leftovers better than the actual dinner! Have a safe and fun day!

[gingerK]

Morning all,
Sue good to hear you made it safely to the U.P. I liked your explanation of why they don't get so much snow. I was always under the impression that they got tons of it as soon as colder weather hit.

Not much here to report today. Regular duties and running a few errands for a friend who doesn't feel up to going out.

Taking Friday off, as I do every year. Not going shopping though; I don't have many people to buy for so I'll avoid that crowd.

Will wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving now in case I don't have a chance to wish it on that day. I hope everyone enjoys it wherever they are and whomever they are with.

Everyone take care,
Kathy

[JudyJB]

I used to live in a western suburb of Detroit, and we got a lot less snow than some other places in Michigan because the prevailing winds are out of the northwest and Detroit is a long way from one of the big lakes. My son, who lives south of Cleveland, gets a ton more snow, as does the Buffalo area, because they are southeast of Lake Erie. And to really mess things up, if the lakes get a complete cover of ice and snow, which does not happen every year, the snow effects quit because they need open water to pick up moisture.

Now, that does not mean that places with less snow are warmer--in fact, they are often colder. Sue's area of Michigan is VERY cold because it is high in elevation. So she gets both snow AND cold!!

I am settled in Usery Mountain SP, just north of Mesa, AZ, for the next four days. High today is supposed to be 79!! Low last night was in upper 40s, so still not as cold at night as New Mexico. Lots of little critters running, hopping, and flying around, and I loved hearing the Coyotes do their yipping and howling last night as I was walking around just at dusk I assume they are letting all the other coyotes know where they are so they can go out hunting together. This is one of my favorite campgrounds so I am glad to be here. Going to do some shopping at Camping World and try to get a haircut tomorrow.

I love turkey dark meat, so I found some turkey thighs last night at the grocery store and will cook myself up a good Thanksgiving dinner with stuffing and homemade cranberry sauce. I froze some turkey thighs to use for later. Yum.

[Bethers]

Still morning here in California. Peaches and I had a good walk - rain is due in (was due in earlier, but had held off so far). Tonight we are expected to get snow. Tomorrow's temps should get high enough to melt it all, but overall, going to be cold this week. I'm off three days and probably not doing to do much at all!

I bought shrimp and crab legs to make for myself for Thanksgiving. Yum. I love living alone and doing what I want!

I was going to purchase Karen's Dish for satellite. Unfortunately, in looking to get the receiver, I got offered a package deal with everything new and a warranty for only a tad more - and had to take that! So Karen's deal (which is great) is still available. After this comes, I'll get Dish's pay-as-you-go cheapest package for the rest of the winter. Maybe keep it over the summer, who knows. It's nice to be able to stop and start it as I'll want to use it.

I had decided to not get anything, BUT on Sunday when I intended to watch three shows, and the station (one of the few I get decently) wouldn't come in - nothing would come in ok to watch - I got very frustrated and cussed lol ... and Karen and I talked - and since I had to find a receiver, lucked into the new deal ... it's such a good deal because it's not this years Dish - which I'm fine with. So I'll become a tv junky.

[JudyJB]

Beth, I used to cook for my family, and after a few dozen years just got tired of all the work and the mess. I agree that living alone is the best! (Even if I do like to visit friends and family.)

And the reason I got satellite was that watching TV on antenna was just too frustrating. It would cut in and out in the middle of something, and just when I wanted to watch something, it would not be there. At least satellite is much more reliable and I do not get mad at it as often! Enjoy your private Thanksgiving and your new satellite!!

[Bethers]

Beth, I used to cook for my family, and after a few dozen years just got tired of all the work and the mess. I agree that living alone is the best! (Even if I do like to visit friends and family.)

And the reason I got satellite was that watching TV on antenna was just too frustrating. It would cut in and out in the middle of something, and just when I wanted to watch something, it would not be there. At least satellite is much more reliable and I do not get mad at it as often! Enjoy your private Thanksgiving and your new satellite!!

This is CABLE - the worst cable. They told me it would be limited channels, they didn't tell me it wouldn't be good. I think it's that they need to update lots of their cable throughout the park - really in bad shape - some places doesn't work at all. I'd not be happy if a paying guest, receiving their guest book on arrival and discovering it barely works, if at all. Sandi had a better picture on the channels (we don't even get all the local ones they told me) when she was here, so I've been planning to try connecting to that, but there's people in that site all week. And they were out there today trying to tighten connections, etc, so my guess is it got worse there, too. But probably not as bad as mine lol

I might have to change sites when I get the satellite - not sure if I'll get it to work from this one. I like where I am, but will tell them I need another site if I can't connect. Hopefully I'll have everything in a week.

I just laugh at myself because in travel mode, I really don't care about tv. Never used to connect to cable if I stayed a day or two anywhere with it. However, in standstill mode, I WANT it lol I haven't been reading as much, and that's part of it as well. Have a ton of books on by ereader, phone, etc and some real books, but just not reading. That phase will come back (and not reading, means maybe only a book every week or two - used to be one ever day or two).

[Acadianmom]

I finally made it to Walmart this afternoon. They were very busy but had a bunch of checkout counters open for a change. I almost waited too long, there were only 6 turkey breasts left but plenty of turkeys. I would like to find some turkey thighs for sale. The company I worked for would give us big turkeys for Thanksgiving and sometimes I would get it cut in half and cook a half flat in a pan.

Even with satellite there are times I can't find anything I want to watch. One night I couldn't find anything and ended up watching the Wizard of Oz. I can't tell you how many times I have seen that movie. We have the movie channels but I never watch one unless I'm with my sister. There is a way to program the receiver to automatically switch to a movie or show but I don't know how to do it. Most of the movies made today I don't want to watch anyway.

Martha