Gray Thursday

[BirdbyBird]

Good Morning. The rain held off yesterday and Claudia and I did the walking tour of the French Quarter with a rest in the middle for a carriage ride. I wonderful mule and tour guide full of history and details. I like listening to the clop, clop, clop of the mules as I look out at the old buildings and street scenes. The sounds and the old cast iron balconies combine to set the mind wandering back in time.

Today rain is again predicted but we have several plans available that deal with all sorts of weather and still keep us engaged in exploring the city.

Hope everyone can find a plan that works with their day ahead!

There is a whiny Lark dog in the rig reminding me that though they both have been fed, it is time for their walk, please. Off we go!

[SoCalGalcas]

Clear blue sky here, and cold! Saw where it was 27* in Q this morning!!! RV Sue had pictures of the snow at her home this morning. This weather is called a “slider”. Means when the air stream slides south bringing the cold from Colorado etc down to us!

Beginning to pack the TT....Lyn

[IrishIroamed]

Mornin' Tina, Lyn, & all who follow~~~
Tina, say hi to Claudia for me. I think about her sometimes& wonder how she's doing. Meet her in Shipshewana. Does she travel much anymore?

Lyn, thanks for the weather terminology. Learn something new everyday.

Currently doing laundry. May head toward Tucson today to get a bit lower in elevation. I'll call the fairgrounds first tho. They have lots of sites, but the news last night had an interview with the Benson KOA and they said they were full because of people hunkering down to wait out the weather. Another winter storm expected Sunday which is a scheduled move day for me.

Not much else going on. Been to cold and snowy here near Bisbee. Think we're got a total of 5" yesterday and woke up to temps of 19° this morning. The folks working at the campground have been keeping busy filling propane.

Have a good day ladies and stay safe and warm wherever you are.

[monik7]

First day of master bath remodel today. Found out yesterday the fixtures (which are the very last to be installed) won’t be here ‘til Jan. 28 because the company was closed for 2 weeks over the holidays. Darn! Would have been nice had they informed customers of that ahead of time. But we are proceeding. I may get to Q if they finish everything up before putting in the fixtures and we have to wait for them. Then I’ll head home when they’re here. Will just have to see how it goes.

Hope everyone has a great day.
Sandi

[BarbaraRose]

Slept in this morning. I shouldn't have since I have a lot on my list to get done before I head to work later.

I am frustrated this week. My lot rent went up more than I expected, my internet service doubled this month, my electric bill tripled (from using the furnace) and now my health insurance doubled for 2019. That adds up to almost $300 per month extra now. I think I can do something about the internet service (change providers) but the others I am stuck with. Will have to be a lot more careful with my money now. (I did get a whole $.50 cent raise at work! Yippy!)

Oh, and then there is the $250 registration tabs for my Jeep that I paid today.

Hope the rest of you warm up soon!

[Acadianmom]

It rained all night and all day. The rain gauge only shows 2 inches but the yard looks like a lot more than that. I finally went and got my rubber shoes out of the camper because I was tired of wearing wet shoes. The rain is suppose to be moving out but there is still a lot of rain on the radar. The temperature is still 66. Just glad it's not freezing or it would be even worse.

I have been vacuuming and washing bedding. I don't know how my cats still have any fur left between what the dryer collects and the vacuum. I had to dump the Roomba twice just in one bedroom.

Barbie, when we had a trailer in Lafayette the rent would only go up about $5 a year for a long time. Then they started raising it $25 every 6 months. I was so glad to get that trailer moved.

Hope everyone is dryer than I am.

Martha

[OregonLuvr]

Good morning. Not as chilly as it has been so I made the best of it and washed my outside windows in the living room. Then pulled out the couch and vacuumed the cobwebs, dust and dead flies from behind. Then washed those windows and curtains. Sparkling clean now. Almost done with the deep cleaning of the living room. I am only doing one room at a time for the much needed deep cleaning.

Threw a small pot roast in the Instant pot, then took it out and put the veggies in and made gravy. Smells really good, just ask the dog whose nose is working overtime.

I bought some new curtains for my master bathroom so that room might be on my list next for deep cleaning. We shall see. Might be the kitchen LOL

Time for some lunch and then a shower.

[Irmi]

Evening ladies!

Tina, I hope you & Claudia enjoy your adventures! Lyn, that is exciting that you are packing for your trip. I admire your spunk! Cheryl, I hope you find some warmer weather. The weather has been crazy all over. Sandi, I hope you get your bathroom remodel done to get your trips in. Barbie, can you tack a little on to your room mates rent to cover your new expenses? Martha, at the moment, we are dryer here but we have rain moving in tomorrow, but it should be short lived. Karen, I wish I could kick start my body to get some deep cleaning done around here.

On a good note, the cortisone shot kicked in yesterday morning. Only took one week, but I'll take it. It's still mild here, windows and door are open. Went to church today to practice for Sunday's service and went out to lunch with friends. We're planning a cross country trip this summer and will start mapping out a course tomorrow. The trip will have us missing lots of crab feasts. That's a bummer. But how many, other than lots of us, can say we did the cross country thing?!!

[snowball]

Irmi
any idea of the major sites you will be heading for?
guess if someone had 19 I can't complain about our 28 or so .. but it's suppose to warm up according to the weather up to the mid 50ths tomorrow close to 60 on the weekend...I can take that and wish it was hotter...
was talking to my mom today and mentioned something to the effect that we are never not complaining about weather it's 98 and it's to hot and to remind me that when it's 98 she said it doesn't get that hot while you are down there does it??? well yep mom it does!!! and right now it sounds really good
looking forward to your making it down Lyn... and Sandi here is hoping they get all that work done so you can make it will hate not seeing your smiles.
so now that I have complained about the cold what can I say about my day did dishes went to store...for eggs and spent over 26 dollars...what in the world did I get??? hmmm chips 2 for 5 so of course 2 bags found the dog food I use got it but in retrospect it was more than I normally spend but never have seen turkey and venison flavor a bag of Munchies and a box of Turtles the candy not the reptile the eggs were 1.50 oh and carpet cleaner not sure if it's age or cold but my dog that never (until last year) had accident's has them more than I like.. was taking him out really late at night but then was having a problem getting him up the steps not sure if he can't see them that well or if he thinks we need to go for a walk not just the closest bush...not happening not at 2:00 so got the potty pads...
later
sheila

[Irmi]

Sheila, what is your schedule for this summer? Like most folks, we want to hit the highlights, but it would also be fun meeting up with you or others. Since we'll be caravanning with another couple, not sure how this will work out, but there's nothing that says we can't each break off to do different things and re-rendevouz again. I wouldn't mind visiting Q but I doubt if anyone would be there during the summer months.

[snowball]

From what I have heard there are some cactus that bloom through the summer we are told that we all leave Q way to early but when you are hanging in the desert and the current bush isn't handy typically leave when it gets too hot
as to my summer plans the 5th wheel will be parked at my dd's in Tetonia Idaho which is on the west side of the Teton's about an hour from Jackson Wy which is where my mom lives so am trying to go over a day or so a week. I haven't made any plans at all...but that said it doesn't mean that I won't get that call" Mom I need a sitter Sister will you???" ect hope to see you oh I'm also about 2-3 hours from Yellowstone depending upon route one takes
hope to see you all
sheila

[Bethers]

Irmi, you should head up by Sheila... The Tetons are arrange... Then a visit to the Black Hills and me would be awesome.

[Irmi]

Sheila & Beth,

I will let you both know more as I learn more about our whereabouts for this trip!

[Cudedog]

I am frustrated this week. My lot rent went up more than I expected, my internet service doubled this month, my electric bill tripled (from using the furnace) and now my health insurance doubled for 2019. That adds up to almost $300 per month extra now. I think I can do something about the internet service (change providers) but the others I am stuck with. Will have to be a lot more careful with my money now. (I did get a whole $.50 cent raise at work! Yippy!)

Yikes. Barbie. Sorry to hear about the big hit to your budget. Unexpected expenses are always the pits.

I don't know if you are low income, or what insurance provider you have, but you might be able to apply for a subsidy for your medical insurance if it is through "Covered California":

https://www.coveredca.com/individuals-and-families/getting-covered/health-care-costs/

Couple of things that I do to save on expenses is to turn my hot water heater down to "pilot" (I have a gas hot water heater) during the day, and turn it back up when I get home so as to have a hot shower at bedtime. After showering, back to pilot it goes.

This might not work for you, since you have a room-mate, but you could try turning your furnace off at bedtime, and just heat your bedroom with one of those free-standing radiator-type heaters:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Optimus-700W-Mini-Portable-Heater-with-Oil-Filled-Radiator/37948255

Electric heat is expensive, of course. If your furnace is gas, with an electric blower, or even if your furnace is all-electric (with an electric blower), one of these free-standers might be less expensive than a full-on furnace in the long run.

Another thought might be to sell your place there, and move to Hemet, Ca. There are many mobile home developments in Hemet where the lot is sold with the mobile. When you buy the lot your mobile is on, your space rent can't go up every year - because you own the lot.

There are also a lot of wealthy retirees that live in Hemet - the whole town is geared towards this clientele. Probably lots of ladies looking for a haircut!

My Dad lived in Hemet for many years in a mobile home, where he also owned the lot.

Of course, these lots are about the same size as a lot where you pay rent. But, since you own the lot, you don't have to worry about rent increases all of the time.

I really feel for you, you have had some rough times over the last few years that I have been reading your posts.

You have a lot of spunk, and I wish you well.

Anne

[BarbaraRose]

Thanks Ann. I found out I can change my health insurance before Jan 15th. Hopefully, I can find something more reasonable.

I turn the furnace off during the day and have lowered it for nighttime. I wear socks or slippers around the house and have a throw blanket on me when on the couch. I use small space heaters to keep the room I am in comfortable. My roommate likes it cooler anyways.

I need to take a look at my budget and find ways to cut back in other areas. I am not in dire straights at all but when bills are doubled, that puts a big unexpected dent in the budget!