New Years Eve Day

[Colliemom]

Good Morning. Well, last day of 2022 is upon us. Anything you want to get done this year you better get with it

We have been in a heat wave here too. We broke a record high 50° on Thursday and another at 49° yesterday. But the strangest part of the whole week was the rapid melting of 25 inches of snow that we got last weekend. We spent all weekend blowing and shoveling and plowing and everything else to keep up with the snowfall, only to have the entire 25 inches disappear in 24 hours, Thursday into Friday it’s been the subject of conversation in northern Michigan including the NWS. It’s almost like it never existed. It’s been nice because the roads are nice and clear and I don’t need cleats on my boots for walking. There is still snow on the ground here, but there’s also bare ground here and there. The downside is, it’s pushing the local economy of many areas up here into a tailspin because the snowmobile trails are not usable and the ski resorts are also suffering from the melting snow as well. This is the time of year when the businesses need the revenue to make up for what they didn’t get from the end of the summer golf and tourist seasons until they start over again in the spring. This next week doesn’t look promising either because they are predicting rain for Tuesday. It doesn’t bother me personally, but having worked in the hospitality industry for a few years here, I know how it can affect the paychecks.

I made my decision about replacing my computer. Sent the HP laptop back as I decided I dindn’t want to mess with figuring out Windows 11. I spend almost 100% of my time on my iPad and I really like the operating system of the Apple devices. So I have decided that I am going to nix Microsoft windows and go with an IPad Air 5th Generation. I rarely use my laptop anyway and there is nothing I do on my computer, that I can’t do on the iPad. I did get a MacBook but decided to exchange it for the iPad instead. I have the Magic Keyboard for it and I am going to get a new printer that is Air Print capable. My printer is about maybe five years old and it is not Bluetooth or compatible with some of the new devices today, so I think it’s time for a new one. I purchased a whole mess from Best Buy and I have to say it is one of the most pleasurable experiences I have had ordering stuff online. Their customer service agents know their stuff and they can help you make decisions about what you are thinking of doing and even get your orders in for you. They are sometimes good about even offering some personal advice having used something that maybe you are interested in. The shipping is extremely fast. I had my iPad here in 24 hours. Returns are very easy as well. Free shipping in both directions and price matching too. The Magic Keyboard that I got for the iPad is $90 cheaper on Amazon and they price matched it. It came within 24 hours like I said, which was way faster than it would’ve come from Amazon. so now I can have some fun learning a little bit about using this updated iPad. Transferring data from one to the other is easy too. So I will be terminating my Microsoft account. Not going to miss Windows. Current laptop will be unsupported in two weeks anyway. And I read that Windows 10 will be unsupported in October 2025.

Sorry to hear some of you or family are having some health issues. Hope you all get to feeling better soon. Rita, was nice to read your post. Often wonder how you are doing up there. Sun has been a very rare thing this month too, But that's pretty much normal this time of year because of the Great Lakes. Those same lakes kept us from having the really colder temps that everybody else was experiencing earlier this week though. Martha and Beth, hope you get to meet up at the Escapees rally.

So, that’s all for this last morning of 2022. Not sure where rest of day is heading but I know I will get into something. I did remove all of the Christmas decorations at the entrance to the sub earlier this week and took the Christmas stuff off the front of garage. Changed it to a winter theme. . Have another woodcraft pattern project in the works, but I am nitpicking at it when I’m in the mood. I have plenty of things to keep me busy for the rest of the winter. Have a nice day all

[Shirlv]

Morning Sue and All, 51° with dense fog this morning and then rain into the night. Forecast is for moderate temperatures for the next couple of weeks. Yesterday was a rotten day that Shirl couldn’t handle it day. Nothing major just an an accumulation of irritants. Feeling better today. Sue I no longer have a laptop just a apple iPad forth generation. I like everything about it except the price. I put aside money for the next one when this one wears out. No plans for this evening just stay home, enjoy a nice dinner. Will stay up to greet the New Years and say RABBITS.

Wish everyone a healthy, prosperous and HAPPY NEW YEAR.

[OregonLuvr]

Good morning. Been up for a while and on my second cuppa java. Not sure what is on my agenda for today. I wanted to get out in my little storage shed and reorganize it but it is being damp and chilly so doesnt spark my motivation gene.

I won't be up at midnight, I can pretty much guarantee that ha ha The good part is I can watch the festivities at 9pm here on the west coast instead of midnight. I hope we dont have many fireworks or guns going off. You know I live in "redneck county" so anything is possible.
I am just going to slide quietly into 2023. Last year was not a good year for me so while life is good right now I am just going to sneak in without fanfare.

Making chicken terriyaki stir fry for lunch and then have some leftovers for dinner, so an easy day. Might even pop some popcorn tonight or later this afternoon.

[Acadianmom]

I don't know if it rained last night but everything is wet this morning. I guess it's just that humid. I had rolled up the rubber runners that I had on the old carport for one of the hurricanes. I need to clean the carport and put them back down. It wasn't sealed right and I could skate on it when it's humid. At least it's 69 and not freezing. Sue, I saw the pictures on Al's blog(Travel With the Bayfield Bunch) of how much snow had melted in Canada. They were having the blizzard last week too. This is some strange weather. Probably a good idea to return the HP computer. I had gotten one to take when I went camping and started getting messages that they weren't going to support it and I think it was only about 4 years old. I won't buy any HP again. I have an Apple computer at home and it's at least 8 years old. I had to get the battery replaced a couple of months ago and that's the only problem I have had with it.

On the news last night there was a report of outside post office boxes being broken into in Rayne, LA and mail being stolen. They are asking for tips from the public. I can't believe the post office doesn't have a camera on the boxes. Rayne is on I-10 so it could be someone besides a local thief. Since I have a mail box on the side of the road I have most of my mail going to a post office box. I usually go inside if I am going to mail something with a check.

I'm sure I will be up at midnight watching all the dumb stuff they are doing in New York. I seldom ever hear any fireworks and that doesn't seem to bother Sugar. She wants to be outside when it's storming. I don't plan on doing much cooking tomorrow. I have some frozen black eyed peas and I'll cook some of the cabbage with sausage. Don't know that helps but hard to break old habits. Harold had to have his black eyed peas and cabbage on New Years.

Martha

[MandysMom]

It's been raining here pretty steadily, with 2.5 inches since storm began on night of 28th. Very welcome moisture.
We will do our usual appetizer dinner tonight and steaks tomorrow. Probably watch tv or listen to music and toast at midnight with sparkling water. Happy New Year everyone.
Velda

[Redetotry]

It was really foggy here until almost noon. It is 47 but the 90% humidity makes it feel cooler. We have long low windows in our back room which was built so the former owners Dachshunds could see out. We watched the deer wander through the yard they are not afraid and jump the fence easily. Their hair turns sort of a grey color that blends in with the landscape in the winter.
Sue that is strange that all your snow melted so fast! I think they are afraid of that happening in other places and causing flooding.
I also need a new computer. I gave up using Dell when they changed to I think it was windows 8. Does anyone remember using Corel! I loved that and of course they got rid of it. I use Word and Excel for Mac but they stopped supporting the version I had and the new one is really difficult, way too many functions. I will probably get another desk top, I especially don't want to give up my mouse and keyboard! I always read books on my iPhone.
I finally found good ham hocks and will make ham and beans with cornbread tomorrow.

[JudyJB]

Ditto for rain here! We've had 2" in the past 24 hours, and there was more starting last week. So far in December, Napa has had 8" of rain, which is good, but they need it farther inland and in Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and Arizona to help fill Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Supposed to rain for most of the next week, also, so that will help the California reservoirs at least. Not fill them, but add to levels, at least. Hope January is rainy everywhere in the West!

I am at the Napa EXPO, which is the county fairgrounds about three blocks outside of downtown Napa. It is a very popular place since it is the only decent place within 20 miles and the only one with paved sites and full hookups. A lot of people here for New Years, including one group of maybe 3-4 RVs. Since they cannot congregate outdoors, they have set up tables inside the cow barn and even have a small campfire going in there! Looks cozy, if not more than a bit chilly! The cow barn is pretty clean, by the way, because they hose it out after the county fair. The lady who used to manage reservations for the RV park, used to live next to the two animal barns that are next to the park. Her daughter worked in the high school office with my DIL about 15 years ago, and my two grandkids and her two grandkids were almost exactly the same ages and spent their baby and toddler years with the same private daycare person. The lady who lived here used to have birthday parties for her grandkids (with mine invited) with games in the cow barns!!

I am lazing at home in my RV while son is at their house watching the Fiesta Bowl on TV. He graduated from U of Michigan and is an adamant fan, with even a UM flag flying on his front porch! (I went there also, but am not as nuts as he is.) Michigan is not doing well, unfortunately! I'll go over there for pizza for dinner and to visit. Will not make it to midnight, but we can pretend at 9 pm that it is midnight here, as well as in NY.

Michigan just got a goal, so there will be screaming at their house. Glad I am not there because game will be very loud on TV, as well!!!

[chalet05]

Alarm is set for 11:59 so I don't forget 'rabbits'!

Jumping from one thing to another. Got rid of enough snow around car that I'm sure I can get it out. When I got to the ice buildup, neighbor told me of a flat shovel that had shown up near her section of the building. It made of world of difference over the snow shovel! Still learning! There was a post on the local FB page last night where snowplow had left a big mess at the end of the driveway (which is normal). Someone shared it and said, 'The lady is 75. She can't be shoveling that!' I laughed. Someone did help her out.

Learned yesterday the wife of the couple having to vacate due to the flooding is having a heart mechanism put in Tuesday. As if they need anything else! Husband told me the letters of what it is and I believe it's a defibrillator something. Not sure how old they are but would say no more than 40s. Their situation is still in the works with the corporation but progressing.

Sheila, I've had enough Christmas movies, too!

Happy New Year!

[BarbaraRose]

Work was a little quieter today luckily. We had another stylist come over from another shop to help out. He was really nice.
I think my manager is getting stressed out. His haircuts aren't very good lately. I did a redo of his the other day and it was really bad. Took me almost 15 minutes to fix it. He is getting snippy with customers and making other mistakes recently. Then today, he came in wearing a mask and latex gloves and kept them on all day, neither of which he has ever worn before. I know his grandmother went into the hospital the day after Christmas with Covid and he had spent Christmas with her. I asked him today if he tested positive for Covid and he said no. I asked him about the mask and gloves. He said he is just being cautious wearing a mask because cases are going up, and he was wearing the gloves because he cut a finger yesterday with his scissors and didn't want it to get infected. Sounds a little suspicious to me. I will be really upset if I get sick and find out he really does have it and came to work anyway. I washed my hands a lot and kept my distance from him all day.

I am just hanging out with Romeow watching Paranormal Caught on Camera. Just switched over to the Nashville New Years Eve special. I will be making my list of things that happened in the past year and what I am hoping for in 2023. I do that every year and save them. Of course, retiring, selling my house, buying an RV, and hitting the road will be at the top of that list. I sure hope I will be able to get going in time to go to the Escapees Boot Camp and Rally in Tucson in March!

Tomorrow will be chillaxing and doing some more cleaning in here. Also make some chili.

I am hearing fireworks outside. Romeow has been out in the porch off and on and doesn't seem to be bothered by the noise, which is good. Funny tho, if he is out there and hears a human voice outside, he runs inside and to the closet! He is very scared of other people!

This morning was cold, dreary, misty and very foggy on the way to work. Stayed like that until this afternoon. But more rain coming tomorrow. Climate change is all about extremes in the weather, and we sure are seeing that everywhere!

I will try to remember "Rabbits" at midnight.

[snowball]

we were blessed with company today heard the door open and someone call out thought it was my nephew as I knew that he was running the snow blower which surprised me in that the walk and driveway fairy had come and cleaned it off I guess he just cleaned it up ... but anyway I looked up and saw someone in the hall and without my glasses on realized that it was my nephew from Denver... put my glasses on so I knew for sure it was so good to see them his wife and son was with him as well... so we all had a nice catch up visit... and after they left went and finished my scriptures.... was almost done would have been but while I was looking for a song I ran across the Andrea Borcelli family Christmas video... I really like to hear him sing one of my favorite tenor's and his son is to be honest a hottie!!! besides sings really well... I'm glad that I ran across it... his daughter also sang... had to laugh I picked up an old Women's World and on the page that they tell what is going on on tv and movies ect was a item about the family Christmas video...
so I lost track of time and instead of steak and baked potatoes we had speg and meat balls I really should have gone to the store but choose not too... we had some snow over night and through out the day enough that it was starting to pile up on the railing and on the planter again... it's suppose to snow tomorrow as well...
they sent me replacement hose for the oxygen the part that goes in the nose I absolutely dislike some that they sent it seems stiffer and doesn't want to stay on as well... I think when they call to see if I need anything I'll ask about it
now to see if I can remember what has been said... I can almost guarantee that I won't
that is amazing Sue that all that snow melted so quickly... have to worry about the Buffalo area and where all that melted snow is going to go... (when it melts) we will just hope that it melts slower than yours did...
actually I'm having a brain freeze... so I went to scan what was posted and it looks like Barbie posted something that I hadn't read... and can't see what else was posted so guess I'll close and perhaps come back if I don't you all have
A HAPPY NEW YEAR
Sheila

[Acadianmom]

Barbie, Romeow sounds like Annie. People that come to my house might never see her. She can tell a stranger coming up the steps and she is gone. My son hasn't lived here in a long time and she still remembers him. Hope your manager doesn't get you sick.

I watched Andy and Anderson in New York for a while. CNN wouldn't let them drink so they weren't as funny as usual. I switched over to a show about Irma Thomas on PBS. She was popular when I was in college and I still like her music.

I could hear some booms off in the distance but never did see any fireworks in the sky.

Happy New Year

Martha

[BarbaraRose]

I watched Andy and Anderson last year and they were feeling no pain, but were really entertaining! Too bad they curbed their imbibing this year.

Yes, I can understand why the workers at the humane society warned me that Romeow wasn't very friendly, but for some reason, he decided I was the one person he could trust and let down his guard with. I feel honored and lucky that he chose me! He has calmed down at night now and is still his sweet, loving self the rest of the time. This morning I heard him meowing and looked all around for him. Could hear him continuing to meow and I looked all around the kitchen and couldn't figure out where he was. Finally, I looked up and saw him looking at me from the top of the fridge! What a goofball! I think he was laughing at me! Just like a kid playing hide and seek! I haven't seen him up there before.

I have always thought that Andrea Bocelli was handsome!

[BirdbyBird]

Barbie...about the Bootcamp. Even if you haven't sold your house or bought an RV by that time, it might be valuable to pay the cost of attending the Escapee's Educational event without a rig and just stay in a motel. You may not learn specifics on a particular vehicle that you own but I attended one of the early forms of their educational seminars back in 2005,"Life on Wheels", you will learn a lot. Many people choose to attend them BEFORE they purchase their rigs for that very reason. You pick up so much information and in talking to others are able to learn more about the real life experiences on the road. You also get to see so many ways that individuals choose to use and accessorize their rigs. It could save you from making choices you might later regret. It could help you sort through what you think you want and need to hit the road from what you might actually need. As many of us have stated, it is easy to spend money on items and later realize that we could have used those funds on more important things....like gas money. I won't admit how many things I would look at when I cleaned out a rig or unloaded a rig to move into another that in hindsight I realized was money that could have been better spent. If your budget margins are real tight it can make a difference.

[Cudedog]

Barbie, I'll also put my oar in the water here, although I readily admit I don't have nearly the experience that the other ladies on here have.

The RTR (Rubber Tramp Rendezvous) is coming up in a couple of weeks at Quartzite, and (I think) attendance at the RTR is free - you just need to show up. I have never attended, but it sounds like a fabulous way to gather information from tons of people who are "doing it" as regards the "on the road" thing. If the weather isn't too bad, you might be able to save some bucks by sleeping in your car.

https://www.stresslesscamping.com/rv-sh ... es/rtr2023

There are also lots of YouTube videos about previous years' RTR's. Also, be sure to check out also Bob Wells' You Tube channel, there is probably more information contained in his videos than a normal person could absorb in a life time (and, watching YouTube videos is also free).

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAj7O3 ... z7A/videos

Also. . . (at the risk of rising the ire of some of the ladies on here - apologies, ladies) I would strongly suggest the book, "Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century". The movie of a few years back was based on this book, and while I enjoyed the movie very much, the movie glossed over a bit of the nitty-gritty of the travelling nomad lifestyle. The book was much better, and MUCH more informative.

https://www.amazon.com/Nomadland-Jessica-Bruder-audiobook/dp/B075NLBDSW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=35F1C5VU7CFGA&keywords=nomadland&qid=1672596680&s=books&sprefix=nomadland%2Cstripbooks%2C140&sr=1-1

Although the book (nonfiction) probably isn't aimed at your particular situation, it is (in my opinion) a very informative - and eye-opening - read none the less.

Thinking of you, Barbie, and keeping my fingers crossed that you realize all of your dreams.

Anne

[Colliemom]

Just start I would post the information that I found out while I was snooping on the web today. For those of you who have iPads. The iPad 1, 2,3,4 and the iPad mini are now considered obsolete and longer being supported as of May 2022. What this means is, If you have an unsupported iPad, you can still use it as a regular iPad. However, you will not be able to update the software or take advantage of any new features that may be released by Apple. so you won’t get the latest hardware upgrades, fixtures or anything else that is issued since upgrade 10 was available. The latest update that was released last year is 15.6.1.

Just thought I would pass this on.