Saturday January 15

[Shirlv]

Morning All, it’s 20° and feels like 13° snow predictions are a coating to 1 inch. No snow but temperatures are scary. Have faucets on a slow drip so they don’t freeze. I managed to plant seeds in the containers I had. Whether they will survive is iffy because I’m not sure if the soil was too wet. Taking down the Christmas tree today. Trying a recipe for Mac and cheese using three ingredients that I have add steamed broccoli sounds like dinner. The mail can stay in the box until next week because I am not venturing outside. If I have any caffeine after 2pm, coffee, tea or chocolate I am staring at the ceiling until the wee hours. Be safe

Sue, bathroom looking good.

[Colliemom]

Morning Shirl and all. Shirl, you are having a heat wave compared to me. Current temp here is -3 with a wind chill of -10, under sunny skies. I think we are supposed to go i to low tens for a high today. Nice and warm here in the house and I have a bathroom waiting for me to get busy in. Ceili g painti g is first on agenda. Glad you got your containers planted. Now to see if anything emerges. I’m sipper the soil will dry out. Looks like a doozy storm heading up the coast. From what I see, looks like O’Sharon may be putting that snowblower to work. I don’t know if the pups and I will get out for a short walk today or not. We shall see. I miss it when we can’t as it’s part of my daily routine every afternoon. Molly just went out. She will lay out there for a short bit, then will want in. Or I will call her in, whichever comes first. Don’t want her out too long in this cold. But she tucks her feet under her, covers her back legs with her tail and her head lays on her front paws, so she’s pretty snug. Plus under coat under her fur. And currently laying in the sun, for what it’s worth. Yesterday afternoon, it was 8 above, with a chill of 2 and Piper was out laying in the snow

Time to get moving here. Want to get that ceiling done.

[OregonLuvr]

Morning. I am lacking energy this morning BUT it is early yet and only on my first cup of coffee. Slept well. Feeling better each day. Bought some different cough syrup yesterday when I was at the store....OMG could it taste any nastier...NO. They didn't have Robitussin so I bought Dayquil severe....will have to muster up the strength to take any more. It worked pretty well tho so we shall see.

Shirl I only pick up my mail a couple times a week. I signed up for USPS informed delivery and they send me a picture of my first class mail every day. It is free so you might want to check it out. Then I know if it is worth the trip LOL

https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/p ... art.action

[Bethers]

Tis a windy day here. Got to sleep around midnight (yay) but awoke to the winds 3 or 4 times. And they are still strong. It should be an interesting walk when I convince myself to get moving. I'm glad I don't have to go anywhere.

I ordered an extend a stay (different co, so different name) and propane canister, etc, to use this summer. I won't be able to pull out as easily where I'll be parked and definitely want to be sure I have propane during the cold spells... Especially spring and fall. I'm laughing because I've talked about doing this many times and never followed through, but after over 15 years, I'm doing it. My main concern is transporting the tank at the end of the season. I think I'll try to let it run empty then, or close to it.

[BirdbyBird]

Still parked here at the Park of the Pines just a block away from Bob and Liz. Planning to stay through till Monday or until my new electric coil cord for my Blue Ox tow bar arrives. Liz, her good friend Judy and I had a wonderful kayak trip down the Suwannee River yesterday. My favorite type of kayakers. We were not paddlers as much as paddle, float, float, paddle sort of kayakers. there were a few others out on the river but we just waved as the passed us by. On the other hand we noticed many interesting sights and got to bathe in the wonderful soft silence of the river with only the murmurs of close wildlife. Well there were three very vocal geese who told us in no uncertain term whose shore line we were passing. But they did allow us to pass. Dinner last night was delicious Salmon generously offered at House of Liz followed by a few rounds of a games. Tonight Birdie joins Bob and Liz and I for a Mexican dinner somewhere near by..... Dogs still enjoying their walks. I have still managed to walk several miles a day but my back does let me know that it has noticed. Aging is not so much fun. Stay well out there and if not well, may you at least be gaining strength and moving in a forward direction.

[Liz]

I managed to plant seeds in the containers I had. Whether they will survive is iffy because I’m not sure if the soil was too wet.

Shirl there are a lot of things you can use for containers. Egg cartons or small margarine tubs can be used for seedlings. Got any old purses in your closet not being used? Cut some slits for drainage and line the bottom with small pebbles and make it a plant pot. Same thing with old worn out boots or shoes. Cloth or burlap sacks work well too. Recycle potato or coffee sacks. An old bucket, basket, colander, bowl, box, tea kettle, toolbox, suitcase, plastic water bottles, empty soup cans, you name it. Be creative. Just make sure your containers have drainage. Wet soil will dry out if you have drain holes.

I'm enjoying a visit from Tina and her puppers this week. We've managed to get in several long walks and one kayak trip on the river, so far. It was a nervous start of the week because I learned I had been exposed to someone with COVID, so we social distanced and masked up for awhile. It's been more than a week from my contact, and no symptoms here. There have been a few cases in the Village, however, so we are masking in group, public indoor settings. May skip in-person church tomorrow and watch the service on TV or Facebook. Both are available live.

We expect a couple of days with near-freezing lows this coming week, so may have to cover some plants in my garden. That's typical for north Florida winters. Short-lived cold spells are fine with me.

[Shirlv]

Liz, I need container to act as mini greenhouses for winter sowing. You cut jugs in half, punch drain holes in bottom, fill bottom with soil, plant seeds. tape shut. Remove cap and sit out side in the weather, snow, sleet, rain and come spring you have plants ready to plant in the ground. At least that is what is suppose to happen. Lol It’s a good idea for milkweed because you do not need to refrigerate seeds for a month just plant in a jug and sit outside in freezing temperatures. Fingers crossed

[Cudedog]

Shirl I only pick up my mail a couple times a week. I signed up for USPS informed delivery and they send me a picture of my first class mail every day. It is free so you might want to check it out. Then I know if it is worth the trip LOL

https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/p ... art.action

Good morning, Karen. So glad to hear that you are finally on the mend.

I have had the "informed delivery" thing for quite a while. I think it was Velda that suggested it to me as a kind of safety precaution. I really like to know in advance what is coming - so that I can verify that it has arrived!

Anne

[Acadianmom]

This morning we had one big boom and the rain started. Sugar wants to be outside if it's thundering or raining. I think our high of 64 was this morning and it got colder after that. The wind was 20 mph so that makes it feel colder. Yesterday I mowed in short sleeves and today I had a jacket and coat on.

Tina, we got to stay at the park near Liz and Birdie a couple of years ago when we were headed to an R-village rally. That's a nice place they have found.

I thought about going to town but the weather was just too messy.

Martha

[snowball]

went to the store today and picked up a few groceries didn't need a lot but knew if I didn't I would run out of milk at least.. got sausage for supper french toast ect should have chose a different menu over cooked some of the sausage while under cooking other pieces... so frustrating heat turned up too high and then turned down too low...and I normally get one brand of sausage was out so got some of the in store type didn't like it so didn't keep it... too salty or something and I was so looking forward to the meal
forgot to mention that Kerry is in Q for the rest of the season and that she is getting married in the fall...
I did a good job of lazying around today did go to the post office while out... I ought to look into that and see what is there so that I will know if it's worth going to the post office or not... my brother I think gets it as he has text me and told me that mom has mail... although he didn't do it today...
I wish I could warm up... I will probably do that lament each and every day...
Beth can't you just order a oversized canister for your site in Ut? that way you wouldn't have to transport it... and will they come fill up there?? I realize you could be consider in the boonies there so don't know if it's available but I know that the propane supply companies go quite a distance here.
good luck with your winter planting Shirl hope they don't freeze...
I am trying something a bit different mom is suppose to ask for the pain pills which is actually just generic Tylenol but she was in so much pain in the evening that she was ouching every few moment's so decided to give it to her at certain times ( 6 hours apart) so giving it to her at noon at 6 and and midnight she knows where it is so she can if she wants get one at 6 AM so far this is the second day of trying it she has been much more comfortable in the evening but at the same time she is sleeping more... not sure what is best
it just hurt to hear she ouch ouch ouch but then maybe something changed so she isn't hurting as much
well you all have a great day
sheila

[Bethers]

Beth can't you just order a oversized canister for your site in Ut? that way you wouldn't have to transport it... and will they come fill up there?? I

The propane company for the motel is right down the road so that's probably possible. But I know there would be a charge for renting the tank and delivering and buying or renting the proper connectors. And I'll be able to use the tank I buy at my casita, so I just decided to go this route and then I'll take it all to the casita after. I'm sure I can pay attn and watch the propane in that tank and not fill again towards the end and switch back to the onboard tank before leaving. At least that's my thoughts.

[BarbaraRose]

Nothing much happened here today. Was cloudy, so I wasn't motivated. I guess I must be solar powered and can't function on cloudy days! We were supposed to have a strong wind event the past few days but so far barely a breeze here.

I did give my next door neighbor a haircut. I have 3 haircuts to do tomorrow. All my cash tip money is going in a kitty for my gourd festival trip in 4 weeks. I remembered today that my credit card tips go onto a debit card. I had totally forgot about that since I have been back at Great Clips. I checked my account online and have $233 in that account! So I am transferring that over to my checking account. Will probably end up in my savings account from there.

Tonight, I have been doing math!!! Yep! My "Plan A", is to collect Soc Sec next year when I turn 62 and then I want to buy a small camper and travel during the summers and continue to work in the winters here. However, I won't have enough money next year to buy the camper, so I decided I will have to wait another year before I can take off the summers to travel and just save my Soc Sec money each month and should have about $15K in a year to buy my little camper. By then, hopefully, the prices will have come down quite a bit after the "Covid campers" decide they don't want to camp anymore. Prices now are still crazy! I saw a travel trailer on CL tonight that is 21 years old and they want more than what it cost brand new back then!

I also figured (more math! ) that I can still work 3 days per week for 7 or 8 months a year and still be under the income allowed by SS so I don't get penalized. The extra money I make those months will more than cover my travel expenses and I will still have the SS income to cover my monthly expenses at home.

So now I have a headache from all that thinking and am sad that I will have to wait another year for my travel plans but it will be worth it once I get there. I will be able to stay here in my house, and still make enough to travel for 4 to 5 months each year and get out of the heat here during the summer time. Yay!

Have a good night!