Campfire

[Acadianmom]

You did better than my husband and his $3 shirt. He almost never shops for clothes and a year or so ago he went into the resale shop that's by one of the grocery stores. He found a shirt he liked for $3. He was so proud of his shirt. lol

Martha

[JudyJB]

Great bargain!

I once had a cruise scheduled for my mother on a ship that required formal wear every evening except the first and last night. I went to a big, expensive department store and found us each black velvet fancy pants suits for $20 each! That was like more than 80% off the original price but it was a couple of months after New Years Eve, and they had a lot of stock. Somewhere I still have mine packed away in case I go on another fancy dress cruise someday.

[JudyJB]

My hands are still sore, but not as achy as they were. Got a big bruise on one where I moved when he had the needle stuck in. Should have warned me he was going to move it sideways because it really hurt, so I jumped and the the needle came out and he had to reinsert. Yikes!

It will take a few days for the inflammation to calm down. Martha, if your finger catches, you might have a trigger finger, but usually it gets really sore so hopefully not. Mine are still aching and it hurts to do a lot of things, like snapping on my privacy curtain in my cab, turning on a car ignition, and opening and closing almost anything. Both hands have been very sore for at least two months, so I will really be glad when they get better. I've had these shots several times and they are lasting for shorter and shorter periods, hence, my desire to get the surgery and get them fixed permanently, or at least hopefully permanently. Ortho doc said it is not due to arthritis and that usually it is genetic, which will make my sons happy. Makes sense though because my mother had trigger fingers also.

But just reading Karen's ordeal makes me feel horrible about complaining about my sore hands! I can't imagine having a nasal tube, and no wonder your throat hurts!! You are lucky to have such a helpful neighbor. Hope you are stocked up on food and such and won't have to go out for a while. Take it easy.

[Bethers]

I have tentatively accepted a job at a cg in California (near Yosemite) for the winter. There are plusses and negatives, of course. I was also offered a position (volunteer) at Big Bend National Park which I really would like to do. But money is talking - the California job is a paying one - and Yosemite is as wonderful as Big Bend ... so I had to make a decision. It's tentative until I get the email with everything we talked about on the phone today (supposed to be written and sent tomorrow) - as long as it is what we discussed, we have a deal - as she and I agreed on the phone to that. As soon as that's done, I'll let Big Bend know that I won't be there. IF anything goes wrong on the deal, I'll let Big Bend know I will come. Otherwise, I hope to do that another year.

One of the other negatives is that I probably won't make it to Arizona at all this year. I hate that I'll miss Q and visiting everyone, and the possible gtg in/near Phoenix. Hopefully some of you that come west will make it far enough to visit.

One of the positives is that I won't be working Amazon.

On another note, one of the couples working here this summer have had to leave early - two separate emergencies. So I'll be working extra hours for the last month + ... going to be interesting. The gentleman in that couple and I were to be the only two people for the last two weeks - that leaves me ... Today an employee at the owners store in Rapid came down to help me. He'll be back tomorrow. And they are seeing about next weeks schedule to have him (or another) come next Thursday and Friday. Linda has picked up an extra day this week, as has another workamper, Dawn. I love when people rally around ... and Wed when I worked much of the day alone, I actually liked it - things have slowed down, and I had groceries come in - so I had work to do - time flew by! Now, here's hoping for good weather and good business for the next couple weekends at least ...

Time to hit my bed - part of what's happening is I'm opening the store ... yikes ... Peaches didn't want to get out of bed this morning ... she's learned so much from me!

[JudyJB]

I'm going to be hanging around California, north and south, a lot next winter and spring to spend substantial time with Napa grandkids. Are you just going to be there in the winter?? Maybe we can plan something in late spring. I might try to take kids somewhere for weekend or two.

[MandysMom]

Who knows maybe I'll get to meet both Beth and Mudy this winter! That would be wonderful.
Sounds like end of the year plans are coming together.
Velda

[Bethers]

Velda and Judy, maybe we should try to have a Cali gtg this winter/spring. Judy, if this goes through, I'll be there at least through March, arriving mid-Oct. I won't know my schedule, etc, until after I get there, but we could figure something out. Maybe have a gtg there - I bet there are some who would like to visit Yosemite.

I wonder if Diana will be in California or TX while I'm there.

[JudyJB]

Are you going to be in the foothills or actually in Yosemite? In other words, will there be snow where you are? I would not mind the foothills but not sure about Yosemite in winter, even as far as March.

I really want to get back to Yosemite, but in slightly warmer weather. I visited in late November a couple of years ago, and first day was gorgeous in 70s. Started snowing in middle of night--big white flakes and for several hours. Campground turned into a slushy mess with streams of melted snow running through and piles of slush. Tent campers emptied out very fast. I stayed another day, but they closed shuttles and roads other than central area, so could not see hardly any sites. Generator was giving me problems and it was still freezing cold, so I left.

[Bethers]

Judy, if it goes through, I'll be at an rv park in Groveland, CA. Here's a link to their Dec weather - click the arrow to see Jan - those are the coldest months.

http://www.weather.com/weather/monthly/l/95321:4:US

As to Yosemite, I remember going there in November and we drove for the day - because a day or two later snow would hit. We didn't even need jackets. The nice thing about being just outside - on a good day, I can go in. And I really do want to see it in snow. That said, I'll probably see a little snow at the park - but there and gone. Probably less that I saw at Chiricahua in AZ last year in Feb and Mar! And way less than I saw in SD in May and Sept last season ... I remember your stay - I remember looking at the predicted weather and thinking I would have changed my plans - one reason I love jello plans when I'm traveling. But what they get is much more than what the city of Groveland will see.

[Cudedog]

Count me in for Yosemite GTG. I have never been there, and now is the time. About 4 hours by car for me +/-.

Can't wait.

Anne

[Azusateach]

Velda and Judy, maybe we should try to have a Cali gtg this winter/spring. Judy, if this goes through, I'll be there at least through March, arriving mid-Oct. I won't know my schedule, etc, until after I get there, but we could figure something out. Maybe have a gtg there - I bet there are some who would like to visit Yosemite.

I wonder if Diana will be in California or TX while I'm there.

We'll be in Yosemite Valley (Upper Pines CG) from Oct. 16-19, celebrating my 60th birthday. I doubt that you'd be able to get a reservation in the Valley in the Spring, unless you sign on the DAY that reservations open. Yosemite has to be one of the most difficult campgrounds in the country to get into.

There's a nice KOA in Coarsgold, and several others outside the park, both on the south side (Oakhurst), and north (between Merced & the park). From any of those it's about a 45-60 min. drive into the Valley.

I'd love to be able to see you all, but my guess is that it will be while I'm still in school, unless you do it during my Spring Break (Mar. 28-Apr. 1). But if you need any information about the area don't hesitate to ask. I worked at a summer camp just outside of Oakhurst & another one outside of the Sequoias. That area is my "heart" place. I fully intend to have my ashes sprinkled in the Merced river in Yosemite after I'm gone.

Laura

[Bethers]

Laura, if this goes through I'll arrive mid-October. Would love to see you both! And this private cg usually has some sites available ... so maybe even in the spring. Inside the park, totally different story. (I'm not naming names until/unless this gets finalized!)

[mtngal]

WooHoo! Cali GTGs! I will miss y'all in October (leaving for TX) but will be in and out through the winter. (Beth, Groveland is my old stomping grounds; currently 30 min west on 120).

[Azusateach]

Laura, if this goes through I'll arrive mid-October. Would love to see you both! And this private cg usually has some sites available ... so maybe even in the spring. Inside the park, totally different story. (I'm not naming names until/unless this gets finalized!)

That would be great, Beth. But you'd have to come to us, as we won't be towing a car this trip. Just bikes.

[Bethers]

WooHoo! Cali GTGs! I will miss y'all in October (leaving for TX) but will be in and out through the winter. (Beth, Groveland is my old stomping grounds; currently 30 min west on 120).

Yay! I'm hoping to finalize this yet today - that was the deal. However I haven't received the email with all we talked about in writing. I do have a complete offer for a volunteer stint at Big Bend NP in TX ... I'm leaning towards Cali because I'd get paid (hate that money factors in, but I'd also love the TX gig - which would end mid-Jan and give me the time to play in AZ after - or maybe Cali... so if she doesn't get the email to me soon ... I'll be heading to TX.

And, Laura, I'll have my car. Only problem would be if I'd be in training and not have time off yet ...