Thursday, January 23rd

[Colliemom]

Good Morning everyone. Cloudy with some light snow this morning here at the 45th. Fine stuff, not expected to really add up. We are having a bit of above normal temps into next week, so any precipitation might be a mix of light snow and rain and some sun thrown in. So O’Sharon, something to look forward to on your end.

Love the pictures from the Q gathering. As usual, food is involved. Seems like all the pics of GTG’s snow us eating somewhere, someplace Happy Birthday to those of you who are celebrating them.

Been busy spending money here. Isn’t that what we do best Don’t remember if I told you the recliner won out over the snowblower. Yesterday I made reservations to take a 2 1/2 cruise on the Keweenaw Waterway in the U.P. That’s the long waterway that separates the peninsula between Houghton and Hancock in that finger that juts out into Lake Superior on a Michigan map. The cruise is in one of the two boats that sail out to Isle Royale National Park un Lake Superior. Then also made reservations for Baraga State Park as a base for that and a week of exploring around up there. Will post details in GTG section if any one happens to be in Michigan or wants to come up. So July is now all wrapped up.

So today’s project is finishing up some insulation work in the basement. Finally got the window frame stained yesterday. Will do a second coat in a day or two after it dries. Still thinking on repainting bedroom/bathroom.

But right now, time to hit the shower and get my day moving. Have a great time in Q gals and hope everyone else has a nice day.

[Acadianmom]

I think it must have rained most of the night but finally stopped. It's suppose to get up to 70 but doubt it will get that warm. It's 58 and overcast now.

I was standing in the kitchen trying to figure out somewhere to put the cat food so the cats could reach it and the dog couldn't. I saw a package standing between the freezer and the cabinet. It was the calendar I haven't been able to find for 3 weeks. What an idiot. I'm going to have to start writing down everything I put away. Sugar must not be feeling good this morning. She usually makes every step I do. She is on 3 medicines so must be getting to her.

I'm waiting on the plumber who is suppose to be here in 5 minutes. He was going to call when he started out but haven't heard from him. I hope there isn't a big mess under the house.

Martha

[JudyJB]

Nicely settled in at Midway Campground in the Big Cypress National Preserve. I love this place, even if it is 50 miles from groceries, 25 miles from gas, and 35 miles from propane, which I am running out of. The campground is a big loop around an alligator pond and surrounded by bald cypress trees. It is about 300' feet back from Tamiami Trail, about halfway or "midway" between Naples and Miami. Each site has a palm tree, and the sites and roadway are paved, with grass between. Best part is that campsites are only on outside of the loop, so no one across from you. Electric only, but there is a water fill station and a dump station. No lights in the campground, even at the entry, so it is hard to find at night, especially when there is no moon, as it was when I arrived. I had to fill up with water, and had trouble finding the water fill, even having been here several times before.

But at night, without a moon, the stars are incredible! Could even see the Milky Way. What more can you want??

Strangely enough, there is an art gallery half a mile west of here and a visitor center a couple of miles away. It is one of the best alligator and bird viewing places on Tamiami Trail. If you head east about a dozen miles, there is Shark Valley where you can take a tram ride for 17 miles to a viewing tower in the middle of the "sea of grass." You can also rent or take your bike and ride around this same paved loop and feel all alone in the wilderness. Great alligator and bird watching here also on the west side of the loop nearest the visitor center.

Plus, it is going to be 80 degrees today and tomorrow, then dropping into the high 70s for the rest of this and next week. And, while in the past there was absolutely no cell service, which i need to get internet service, there is now enough that I have even received a couple of phone calls and cal do my work online.

[SoCalGalcas]

What a wonderful camp ground you are in, Judy. You could sit in a chair in your camp and bird watch! That is what I would do if I were there!
Lots of running around to do today. Going to get take out from a middle eastern restaurant for one thing. It got a nice write up in the paper yesterday. Every two weeks three of us go out to eat lunch together. Want to see if I will recommend this place for a future lunch.
Lyn

[Irmi]

Hello Sue, Martha, Judy & Lyn!

Sue, I'm glad you found the recliner you want! The snow blower can wait till next time! Martha, I hope the plumber got there and it was an easy fix. Judy, I know exactly where you are staying and love the area. We took the tram through the Everglades and had a wonderful time. Lyn, I hope you enjoy the middle eastern restaurant.

Today was supposed to get to 70 but I think we topped off around 65 under very cloudy skies. This chilly weather has put me in a mood and I'm so tired of the cold and wind. But it's got to get better.

Have a good day ladies!

[OregonLuvr]

Another foggy and damp morning clouds are in abundance 49°. Emma and I did go for a 2 mile walk, I was surprised we walked that far. Of course we walked around our community so there was stopping and chatting along the way. Good for my exercise program LOL losing weight slowly but steadily so will keep up the healthy eating and walking.

Enjoying an afternoon Peppermint Mocha, tastes really good. Nothing much else going on around my neck of the woods. Had a lazy day yesterday as it was eye injection day and that kind of does me in for the rest of the day as that eye weeps and burns off an on all day. But the next morning it is just fine. Other eye next week. It is keeping things stable according to the doc so guess it is worth it.

Looks like the Quartzsite gang had a great time. Loved Sandi's accomodations. Used to have a 29ft boat we could live on but it sure wasnt as fancy as that one, oh and it was in the water ha ha

[snowball]

a beautiful day here in Q so after we went to breakfast we sat around and visited forgot I needed to charge up the phone and get on the computer so am just reading today's will get more next time I am on...
when you sit and visit there really isn't much to report...
was going to make a chocolate cake but guess what we visited instead will try to get to it later or tomorrow
sheila

[BarbaraRose]

I am back! I wasn't able to get on-line at the RV park since I was parked at the farthest corner from the office. It was kind of nice to be unplugged for 5 days!

No issues towing to Q and once I got set up, I went to visit with Sheila, Beth, Ava, Brenda, and met Chris (Red) and her new husband.

On Monday, it was gloomy outside and I was really tired so I stayed in my trailer all day. Tuesday, went to the flea market for a few hours before going to the potluck at Sheila's. That was fun with great food and conversations with everyone. Met Jenny and Dan, and Anita then too.
On Wednesday, I went back to the flea market for a couple more hours. Back at the RV park, I met a lady who does gourd art and we had a good conversation. I bought a small gourd from her and she gave me a gourd design book. Later, she left another design book at my camper for me. She told me about a lady in town who has a booth selling gourd art. I went to check that out this morning. She was very interesting and gave me two small gourds to practice on. Her husband does "fracking" on her gourds which involves using electricity and water to create lightning bolt-like designs on the surface of the gourds. I have read about that and it is an extremely dangerous technique that has actually electrocuted some people who have tried it. But for those who know how to do it, it is a beautiful effect.

This morning 6 of us met in town for breakfast. I went back and dumped my tanks and got hitched up quick after realizing I was late for checkout. Towed the trailer over to Sheila's for awhile and gave tours to the gals. We all sat around and chatted for awhile before I headed for home. It was a bit windy in places on the way back but did OK. Was glad to be home. I think Lola is happy to have me home too. She ignored me for awhile but then came around and wanted a little petting and scratching. Waiting to see if Lily comes by for food tonight.

Back to work tomorrow afternoon.

[Bethers]

Thanks for posting, Barbie. Good to know you got home safely. It was great to see you again. I'm looking forward to getting to your neck of the woods, maybe for a bit next winter. Too soon for me to plan that far ahead, though.

It was wonderful spending time with so many again today. I love our relaxed days here. Well it was more relaxing for me after I got the error messages and my brake lights fixed from the Invisibrake install. I certainly breathed a sigh of relief when that was a simple fix.

It's going to be getting quiet here as everyone leaves. I've always been one of the short stay folks. It's strange to not be. Strange but I like it.