Campfire

[BarbaraRose]

One of my male customers told me the other day that he was going on a trip with 4 other guys in a 38 foot RV. Tell me THAT won't be smelling awful by the end of their trip! I feel bad for whomever has to clean the RV after them .

[JudyJB]

Well, there have not been any other males using my bathroom lately, so I am sure it was him. Course, his sister somehow manages to have problems sometime, which none of us have really ever figured out. I never thought little girls could "miss," but three young granddaughters has been an education.

I got home from Six Flags and vacuumed and damp mopped the floor. My fault for making slice and bake cookies last night and putting sprinkles on them. Such cookies should only be eaten outdoors!

Got a shower early and am enjoying relaxing in my recliner. Need to do some towels and my sheets tomorrow and want to wash my windows on the outside now that I have a new taller ladder. Old one is going in weekend garage sale because it was just too scary to stand on to reach the top of windows. Taller stepstool with three steps will give me something to hang onto so less likely to fall. Had to rearrange my underneath storage this morning to fit it and the bunk ladders in. Will probably also ride to Target tomorrow. Nice to be in town where everything is handy.

[SoCalGalcas]

Judy, I'll be home in San Diego about Oct 15th....I'll have more info on campgrounds in the area at that time. And, I'm going out to Quartzsite the middle of January if you would like to join me. lyn

[JoanE]

Made it to FL about $3000 in the hole not counting travel costs and more to come when I get the estimates to repair the undercarriage damage from my tire. Ouch!

Pain will be lessened tomorrow when I see my girls. Today I was on "lockdown". The cg office was closed so I could not get my gate card to come and go after 6pm. Was going to park at my daughter's but decided to go to cg as it is still hot here and need ac. Called same lot owner as last year and got my old site near the lake for reduced cost.

To do list for tomorrow is huge. Glad my exDH is loaning me his car. Other good news is he is considering assisted living. That is one reason I am in FL. He needs it but was refusing to even consider it. I was shocked by his appearance. So painfully thin and frail looking just since April. This is a guy who was BIG when I met him. His skin also has a jaundiced pallor but he was hospitalized twice while I was out west.

My offer to go with him to his doctor appt was rebuffed. He doesn't realize that he doesn't ask questions and often does not know what his diagnosis is. I will have to finesse this situation but at least we will be visiting AL facilities this week.

[BirdbyBird]

Joan, it does sound as if your plate is full and you pockets empty. Strength to work though the details and be were you are needed as you are needed....

[PeggyinCT]

Hi Joan. Glad to see from your post that you have arrived in Florida. You have had an adventure, but many fond memories too. Good luck with getting everything squared away so you can get back on the road heading east.
Tina- thanks for all the photos and narrative from cowgirl land. You are making dreams realities.
A friend joined me for several days if touring in northern NM. We did the baths at Ojo Caliente yesterday and Taos today. Peggy not in CT.

[JoanE]

Tina and Peggy, my motto is this too shall pass...eventually.

Peggy, did you love Ojo Caliente? I have been told that Riverbend in Truth or Consequences is better. That is where I workamped. If you get down that way, stop in for a soak. Tell Jake I sent you.

[JudyJB]

Just posted a review of the RV park where I am staying here in Napa. It's located right on the county fairgrounds, but very nice, especially since it is within walking distance of downtown a lot of neat shops. Posting the review reminded me of all the really neat places to visit here that are not exactly on the regular tourist lists, like the little kitchen supply store that carries several dozen kinds of scrapers and spatulas, measuring cups, cutting boards, pots and pans, and just about everything else you could want for your kitchen. Lots of crowded isles filled with interesting little gadgets. You can even outfit yourself in a chef's jackets and hats, if you want to. And the fermentation supply store right here on the fairgrounds property. Want to make your own wine and need bottles, corks, a press, storage vats, and all the other good stuff? They will even hook you up with someone who will sell you the grapes.

If any of you ever go to Napa or the valley, send me a note and I'll send you info on a bunch of my other favorite places.

[mitch5252]

Joan, that three grand was just for tires??? Holy moly! How long do you expect a reply from Michelin to take?

And I must have missed what happened to your A/C... ???

Don't you just get sick sometimes of always having a full plate.
This too shall pass - good motto...

[chalet05]

Joan, it seems at times that bad/inconvenient/frustrating things will never quit happening, but I am with you that 'this too shall pass.' Sorry your happenings have been pretty significant.

[JoanE]

Mitch that was the accumulation of ac, gennie and tires. I expect to have things go bad but it would be nice if they spread out. It's only money. No one got hurt and as Peggy said, I have many wonderful memories of my stay in NM this summer.

Why the hit to the wallet is painful is because Social Security stopped my checks a couple months ago. They got it in their head that I am working a high paying job and don't deserve to collect. I had to appeal their decision. In spite of sending them my separation agreement from my job, I just received a form they want completed by my former employer. Now if the idiots shut down the govt, my appeal could be simmering on the back burner even longer.

I also like the saying--life is what happens when you are making other plans.

[mitch5252]

Why the hit to the wallet is painful is because Social Security stopped my checks a couple months ago. They got it in their head that I am working a high paying job and don't deserve to collect.

Isn't that "settled" when you file your income taxes? George worked as a "consultant" at IBT after he retired and he had to pay back ALL of his first year's social security payments because he made too much money (like there really is such a thing...) (interest free, however - thank you, Uncle Sam for always coming up with clever ways to spend other peeps' money). But obviously, that was a long time ago, and from what you're saying - things have changed a lot.

I also like the saying--life is what happens when you are making other plans.

Amen, sister.

[JoanE]

Mitch, all I know is I got a letter a few months ago saying no more payments cause I had been overpaid considering my current income - zero income???? I don't consider the workamping job income as it was a small amount. It will work out eventually but if I only depended on my SS check each month I would be up the proverbial creek.

[mitch5252]

..

Here's what I found on a quick search...

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/236/~/how-work-affects-social-security-retirement-payments

..

[Nasoosie]

Joan you have reached your "this too shall pass" limits, I hope!

Interesting SS info, Mitch. I just go blithely through life never knowing what my SS benefits are, what my health benefits are, or anything else relating to the powers that be. If any source of my income (SS and retirement) were to stop, my life would come to a screeching halt and I would be back to living in the wilds somewhere in one of my many tents, dependent on local berries and fish for my food. Of course, if my health benefits were to cease, for whatever reason, I might not have to live so long as a homeless person!

Sigh----I feel so lucky when I read about others' problems and trials and tribulations, whatever tribulations might be!

Hang in there everyone!