MONDAY MORNING

[Colliemom]

Good Morning everyone,

A cloudy Monday morning here at the 45th. Temp around 20, so that's not bad. The weather has been kind of quiet here this past week. Just a few flurries and occasional LES shower. Maybe an inch in the whole week. Tlhere is a storm heading this way, but looks like it's going to miss us again. Maybe an inch or three they say. And another one for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day looks like it might veer south. This winter is following pretty close to last. And we broke an all time snow record for lowest snowfall ever recorded last winter. A measly 80 inches. Snow was gone by first of March and never came back. But the tide can turn very quickly.

Uneventful weekend around here. Did get my laundry room repainted, so that's done. Except for some minor painting here and there, I don't have anymore painting to do per say. Took the girls for some nice walks these past two days, but am running out of places to go except same old roads. A bit too much snow in woods. Shoveled and blew off around my doors and my deck area and my neighbors walk and porch. Will probably run blower over drive this week, just to tidy up a bit. Cleaned up around the camper too yesterday. Sure wish it was heading out someplace. Course yesterday was church and breakfast out afterwards. So it's pretty much routine around here.

With the painting projects done per say, now I can just putts with other thngs. Want to work on my scrapbook, and also make a couple of things for the camper. Got idea for a Welcome sign for out front, but have to get the materials to make it with yet. One thing at a time. This morning I am waiting for my co-worker to come by in a while here to drop me off some fresh eggs. She has chickens, so I get my eggs from her. Then I am off to town to do some shooping. The of course, dog time etc.....

Sounds like everybody's keeping busy. Some making Christmas plans with famiy etc., others with in park activities etc. Weather seems to be settling down in FL, but sure looks like a mess in some parts of WA. Heavy rains in some parts of CA. Keep safe out there.

Ellipse of the moon is tomorrow morning (around 3 a.m.). And I won't be able to see it. Snow is supposed to move in after nidnight, so means we will be cloudy. Those of you who get to watch, enjoy. You are a part of history as last lunar eclipse on Winter Solstice was Dec. 21, 1638 and next won't be till Dec. 21, 2097.

[avalen]

good morning ladies
not working today, so here I am. They canceled the part timers today cause they aren't
as busy as they thought they would be, and although I'm disappointed, I'm not shattered.
Its a brand new business and the word needs to get out more that we are there. It will
happen, in time. So today I'll do some more house cleaning soon as Mr Happy Pants
leaves for work, I'll get the vacuum going and then the little green clean machine.
If I do that kind of stuff while he's here, he grumbles about the extra electricity usage.
So now I can have more coffee and a little toast for breakfast.
Off to check posts and then do some email, enjoy your day and be safe, hopefully
everyone will be warm.

[Nasoosie]

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!

I made this card this morning after taking a picture of my now-decorated tree. I managed to find decorations for next to nothing at stores with amazing discounts, seeing as the shopping craze is nearly over for this year. If you can't see them, my only decorations, other than lights and a garland, are dragonflies with sparkles!

The sun is coming out in full force here this morning, although it's windy and still very cool out. Not as cool as it is at home this hour, however, as it's -1 there! Mandy and Joe are staying at the house most of January during their time between college semesters----he's a student, and she's a teacher, but their times off are about the same. It will be good to have them there, watching the place.

I have some painting to do in this house, although the kids nearly finished it before they moved out. I also need to make some calls to find out where I can get my screen room slide-in windows (plastic) re-plasticked. It would be nice to have that room usable in cooler weather, and in the rains. The frames are still all good, but the plastic has come loose over the years since my father had them made. I also need to wash off the metal at the bottom of the screen room, as it's got a lot of mildew on it and looks icky----outside, that is.

If it gets warm enough, I hope to get in a bike ride and perhaps a stint in the jacuzzi this afternoon. I will see what's going on over at the clubhouse over the holidays, too. Maybe I can meet some neighbors over there for some festivities, or something.

I hope all is well with everyone today. Off I go to feed Molly and take her for a walk before I begin any chores I might tackle. Hope you all have something fun to do today.

[Birdie]

Well it looks to be another beautiful day here in Central Texas. When I finally rolled out of bed at 7ish, it was 59* outside and fogggggyyyyy. Will burn off soon as the sun gets up into its 'gonna melt you position'.

Sue, sounds like you might be getting "hitch itch". I hope that you can get some travel time in before you start back at the campground.

Ava, so sorry about the cancellation. However, chin up, as when they need someone for overload conditions, I'll bet you are very high on their list. Because of your marvelous exposure to them during the training, they know what and how you would do things. Yes, get the GREEN MACHINE out while old HP is out. He will notice the difference, but may keep his mouth shut because he likes it and can't tell you that he appreciates it.

Soos great tree and thanks for the card. Bet Molly is enjoying this winter as she gets more "outdoor and don't freeze your arse off" time

Well, I need to get the propane gauge replaced on the on-board tank. So plan to do that either Tuesday or Wednesday. So I'll go dump before I head to the shop. What's that mean? For the newbies benefit, it means I need to break down the rig for travel. When I get back and I am going to look at moving to a site with some trees around it as I don't have any birds coming to my place. I am in the 'plains' area with grass and water. Probably go back where I was before as I liked that slot and the birds, bees and wild animals hang out in that area.

So I have the coffee ready, but need to do an egg and toast and maybe blueberries for breakfast. Everyone be safe, stay dry and warm, but don't forget the fun factor.

[Forestgal]

Good morning all!

Well, we've had 6.36" of rain in the 'hood since this storm began Friday afternoon. There are years when that's our season total, so needless to say this is a LOT of rain for us. It's not raining right now, but more is predicted.

In spite of the rain I'm headed out for lunch with some of the RVW ladies at a restaurant at the Bass Pro Shop. It's a bit of a hike from here, so I'll leave early and probably take surface streets all the way. Freeways just aren't much fun right now and surprisingly enough you can get absolutely anywhere in L.A. without going on a freeway if you want and have the patience.

Think I'll bake some bread today. It's soooo easy, and I love the smell in the house. Good thing the boules (name of the little round loaves) are small, or I'd be BIG!

Have a great day everyone!

Laura -- and Jed

[Barbzeee]

Morning to all... It's been awhile since I posted in the MOrning column...and I've got a few minutes to do a quick one...

Laura...this is for YOU.... Thanks for the Bread Posting.. I want you to know... I ordered the whole dang thing...so after Christmas I'll be making
some delicious bread... I watched that video on YouTube..and I could smell it..(in my mind) and my Momma use to say, "Bread is the staple of Life" . So because I hope to live a long one.. I've got to have my "Bread Fix"...

As for the rest of all you Sistah's (as Echo puts it)... I want to wish you all the Best of the Best for Christmas and a wonderful New Years too..

Hope to meet up with a lot of you at the January GTG...

Soos, that tree looks great... I haven't done any decorations..hubby won't be down until January...so we'll have our belated Holiday..

God Bless and all of you Keep Warm...it's very chilly in Sunny Florida....

Zeee

[Readytogo]

Hello from Alabama! This more like late coffee! The past couple of weeks Ive been waking up about three or so, turning back over and before I know it it's 9 or 9:30. I hate that! Beautiful sunny day here, I think I'll ride up to the lake where I camp during the summer. I don't want to brag too much about the weather though, because then it usuually turns bad! Its supposed to be cloudy tonight for the eclipse though they said. Maybe we'll be able to get a peek between cloudes. I hope!Tomorrow Ill probably take two of my grandkids to the science museum. They have a snow room and an ice slide. Then Weds maybe go to the mall, get a cup of coffee and people watch. Call me crazy, but I like to do that a few days before Christmas. Everyone have a good fun and safe day!!! Wendy

[Echo]

GOOD MORNING SISTAHS!!!

Rain, rain go away. Come again some other day! LIke in the freaking summer when the desert could really use it!! OMG I'm so sick of this rain. I am so very, very thankful that we are not living in tents here!!! We surely would be covered in mold and mildew by now. Jodie our neighbor gave us a couple of hunks of rough cut lumber to put under the edge our steps as there is a puddle that collects there and turns into mucky gooey mud which is impossible to miss when stepping out. The rough cut is ? 2 1/2" thick, 12" wide and 24" long so the two pieces make a dang good 'landing' at the bottom of our steps. From there we can step right onto the concrete slab for the picnic table. Other than that we would be wallowing in mud whenever we step out the door. Poor Shade, I feel so badly for her. She is NOT impressed with the rain falling on her and is having a miserable time trying to skirt the puddles and mud to find someplace to go P with out getting soaked. She's not to much of a dummy tho!! Lately she has been going under the truck to do her business. While it is wet under there, it's only semi mucky and she doesn't have to worry about rain drops. Kelly came outside while Shade and I were already out there and asked where she was? Lite the flashlite and showed her, Kelly burst out laughing and I had to shush her to quiet her down.

It rained so dang hard last night that the window over the sink started leaking!!! Gads, I'm not even sure where the heck it's coming in at. I am gonna have to get the ladder and get up on the roof today to put a tarp or something over that *(^%$(*$$%@ bathroom vent TODAY! Had 2" of water in the little bucket this morning when I got up and the floor by the bathroom door had a puddle. It drives me totally nuts to think that water is going into the ceiling and down inside the walls. Yep will most definitely be looking to get a 'newer', lighter, dryer and less leaky TT as soon as we can. The roads here in the campground are a mess. Nothing but mud ruts right now. While outside this morning I noticed that they have that orange plastic 'tape' all around the center camp area blocking the whole center off. Must really be a low lying area right there.

Other than trying to stay dry, plug or cover leaky spots, catch drips and play on the laptop?? Ain't much at all going on here. We have such exciting lives.

OK, off to read postings to see what has been going on. Yesterdays postings were just a few so it was really quiet in here. Hope everyone has a good day and does it safely too.

Love to all

[dayspring39]

Good Afternoon... we have sun but cool 55 here... that is better than the north country... sue thanks for opening the coffee room... soos your tree is beautiful... thank you zee for the lovely card... laura send some of that fresh bread my way... and thank you all for keeping the room warm and friendly...
I got my 'gift's ready for the post office now must go and ride up there and mail them...
A friend came over and found the switch to shut off the electric water heater... I am afraid it would make my electric so high... now I can turn it on with the electric or gas...
Good day here... hope you are all enjoying these few days before... I will spend Christmas with friends we will share food, chatting, watching videos and playing games...
Kathleen

[BarbaraRose]

It is absolutely pouring down rain right now! Actually it is more sideways than down since it is very windy also! And today is supposed to be less rain than we've been having, with really heavy rains coming Tuesday and Wednesday. I live next to a huge, deep canal so am thinking that I should be safe here. It is flat land around me with the lake nearby (which will raise significantly I am sure since it has no outlet) so hopefully no bad flooding right around here.

I have the day off so will hunker down here and read, nap, etc with Sophie. Just sitting here in bed with her now, drinking some hot French Vanilla Cappucino.

Last night I called a guy I knew back when I lived up in Santa Barbara. Haven't talked to him since I left there, so he was VERY surprised to hear from me. He now lives in Carlsbad, not too far from me, with his wife and two kids. We had a nice talk and plan to get together for lunch after the holidays and get caught up on each other's lives.
How I met him is kinda interesting...I had been to Santa Barbara with my dad 27 years ago for a weekend trip. I fell in love with the area and decided I wanted to live there someday. I subscribed to the Santa Barbara News Sunday edition and had it sent to me each week. I read a personal ad in there one day from a guy who had just moved out there from Boston and was looking for someone to explore the area with. I answered the ad and asked if he would be willing to send me some information about the area. Well, we started writing back and forth every week and got very interested in each other. It was a year later that I took a week long trip out there to meet him. We had a lot of fun but the chemistry wasn't there, but we stayed in touch as friends. A year after that, I moved out there and stayed with him and his roommate until I found a job and place of my own. After I eventually moved back to MN, we lost touch but I have thought about him over the years. I found him via the internet and decided to give him a call. It will be fun to see him again!

Hope all is well with everyone today!

[BarbaraRose]

Help! I need an ark! It has been absolutely pouring since my last post two hours ago! And today is forecasted for "light rain" compared to Tuesday and Wednesday! Can't imagine it getting even worse than this over the next two days! Luckily, I am not near any areas where there are rock and mudslides between me and work (that I am aware of anyways!) Up in the mountains (Sierras) they had over 9 FEET of snow in a 24 HOUR period yesterday! Yikes! Even by Minnesota standards, I can't imagine snow coming down that fast! On the up-side, things will sure be green after all this rain, and the spring wildflowers should be wonderful in March/April! And will also keep the fire danger low for awhile.

Soos, I noticed the doggie toys under the tree that are unwrapped. Did Molly get those early? Still gotta get Sophie a Christmas present, and one for my roommate, too. She gave me a basket full of little gifts last night. So nice! It is a good day to do on-line Christmas shopping! I imagine things are very slow today at the stores here and at work as well. I don't mind the drizzly stuff we had yesterday, but don't want to be out in this drenching rain at all. Sophie seems very content to be laying next to me on the bed today! A good kitty/mommy bonding day!

Stay warm, dry and safe today!