Still Cold Saturday Morning

[Colliemom]

Morning all. Cold air still lingering this morning. Temp is 9° with a real feel of 3°. Warmer then yesterdays 5° above and a real feel of 2° below. This is the end of this cold snap. Heading into the 20s today in the mid 30s tomorrow. Looks like we have about an inch of snow roughly last night. I will go out later on and blow out my drive and clean up around here. But first I am going to finish cleaning my living room as I didn’t get it all done yesterday. Actually this cold is nothing. I’ve been in way colder than this. Like actual air temperatures of -30°.

Er. . . Sue. I have a personal question for you. Do you hire yourself out? I'm pretty sure I haven't done any "deep cleaning" around here since maybe 2009. It's not too bad here, though. With your speed and energy level, you could probably have everything whipped back into shape. . . in a month or so.

What do you charge?

Sorry Anne, but my hiring out days are over. Besides that I think I would be a little too expensive for you having to figure in the gas and motels necessary to get over to your house. Besides that I think I would be a little too expensive for you having to figure in gas and motels to get to your house. I could send you the instructions on how to do it though Actually, , I used to clean a couple of houses on the side, but no longer want that responsibility. As I get older I find that I cannot go all day long like that.

I know you all wonder where I get all this energy from, but seriously, it’s doing things like this that keep me going. It is well known that people who stay physically active and also spend a lot of time outdoors, are in better shape physically and mentally than those who don’t. I always joke, that although I retired from a paying job, I did not retire from life. I have my times when I don’t do things and 3 o’clock in the afternoon is usually my quitting time. So I keep myself moving and I do things even though I don’t feel like it or I’m tired. Find that once I do get moving my energy level starts coming up. Let’s just say I said goals for myself every day. But I do take a day off once in a while.

Hey Shirl, if you want to see the latest antics in Washington, read this. This lady is a columnist in our local newspaper and this is true.
https://news.yahoo.com/rachel-brougham- ... 05661.html

Interesting conversations about driving vehicles for a long period of time. My truck is pushing 76,000 miles and I have no intentions of getting rid of it. I’m still paying it off But this thing has run like a charm since I have had it and I have not had any issues with it at all. Just a couple of minor recalls. So I think it will be living in the garage for a few more years yet. The new technology that’s out in the car nowadays kind of scares me too and some of that stuff I don’t really want. If I do get another vehicle eventually, I will probably go back to leasing. I did it for quite a few years until I retired and started driving more miles a year.

Otherwise nothing new here. I’m going to get myself cleaned up and finish my living room so that I can get out and get out of the snow. Beth, good luck on your call this morning. We will all be waiting with open ears

[Bethers]

I just read that there was a record breaking wind chill of -109 in New England. Brrrr. I feel for everyone in the northeastern U.S. right now.

Tina and BJ, I have a friend with a Subaru and I cannot get comfortable as a passenger even. I always thought it was just me!

I tried gently to explain to the owner of the business I really thought I wanted to work that she had to quit taking her time. It didn't work. So I've backed out of this job. Well, I offered her a shorter time frame but she didn't go for it. So I've accepted an April - June volunteer position at the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute in Fort Davis, Texas (http://www.cdri.org/ ). The job I didn't take was for a bed and breakfast in Wyoming, only about 1 - 1 1/2 hours from Sheila. Now I do have another potential in Colorado, if they can deal with me not arriving until the first week of July. I really like much about it, but I think it's more hours and work than I want. I've turned down several. I'm just being very picky. I may go to my site in Arizona for a couple summer months to see how well I handle it there in those months. Maybe Arizona will end up my summer base and this park in Texas winter base.

[Cudedog]

Hey Shirl, if you want to see the latest antics in Washington, read this. This lady is a columnist in our local newspaper and this is true.
https://news.yahoo.com/rachel-brougham- ... 605661.htm

Sue, interesting article, thanks.

Oh yes, I heard about the tremendous political brouhaha surrounding the "woke" M&M's "spokes candies", having to do with one of the candies changing "her" high heels for tennis shoes.

So, now we are supposed to believe that individual pieces of candy have a. . . gender?

This is just plain weird. . .

I actually believe that Mars, Inc. (the makers of M&M's) really missed a bet here. They should have shown how much easier it was for "Miss M&M" to do a break-dance, sliding across the smooth top of a gas stove in "her" tennis shoes, than it was for "her" to do the dancing in high heels.

Our elected politicians at work - you know, those guys and gals in Congress whose salaries are upwards of a fast $173,000/year. Plus health care. Our tax dollars at "work". (Not). Sounds to me like they don't have enough to do.

Interesting conversations about driving vehicles for a long period of time. My truck is pushing 76,000 miles and I have no intentions of getting rid of it. I’m still paying it off But this thing has run like a charm since I have had it and I have not had any issues with it at all. Just a couple of minor recalls. So I think it will be living in the garage for a few more years yet. The new technology that’s out in the car nowadays kind of scares me too and some of that stuff I don’t really want. If I do get another vehicle eventually, I will probably go back to leasing. I did it for quite a few years until I retired and started driving more miles a year.

Glad you like your car, Sue. My 2011 GMC Savanna Van only has about 45,000 miles on it, and I intend to keep it till the end. The end of the car, or the end of me - take your pick.

In my (depressed) area, a livable, "fixer" two or three bedroom home of about 800 square feet could be bought for about $40,000 in about 2008 - 2009, during the height (or depths) of the "Great Recession".

I just checked, a nice, USED, 2022 Chevy truck can right now be had for the low-low price of [drum roll followed by an audible gasp!] $54,000.00

https://www.kbb.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=669653282&zip=92620&clickType=elot&clicktype=elot

(OOPS! Sorry! Got the price of that baby wrong, the correct price is "only" $53,997.00)

I definitely won't be buying a USED Chevy truck anytime soon.

Otherwise nothing new here. I’m going to get myself cleaned up and finish my living room so that I can get out and get out of the snow. Beth, good luck on your call this morning. We will all be waiting with open ears

Sue, don't be so modest! There always seems to be something new going on in your daily adventures. That's why we all like reading your posts so much!

We all want to know what Sue is going to be up to next!

I'm sure I speak for all of us here, Sue: Thanks for our "morning read"!

Anne

[Acadianmom]

It only got down to 38 last night so the weather guessers missed it again. Fine with me, warmer is better. It's up to 58 and sunny.

Over the last year or so I have had several spells where I had pain between my shoulder blades. It always happens late at night when I'm sitting at my desk. Last night it happened again so I decided to take my blood pressure and it was 150/100. I took two low dose aspirins because they were on my desk and handy. This morning my BP is 120/100. I had gone to the heart doctor after I lost Harold and Scott. After a couple of appointments they released me and said I didn't have any problems.

I get tired of listening to the politicians. What gets me is that grown men and women think it's ok to stand up in front of the whole county and tell lies. Most of them are not trying to do anything for the country. They would rather call each other names and cause trouble.

I don't know what I'll do today. I haven't been to town in several days so will probably go check the mail. I'll try to stay out of the grocery store. It seems like I can stop for one thing and spend $100.

Martha

[Redetotry]

I agree with those who say they find the Subaru uncomfortable to drive or to ride and hard to get in and out of. I thought it was just I was so used to my van being higher thus very easy to get in.

I looked out my kitchen window about an hour ago and saw my van sitting in the middle of the street!! It had rolled down the driveway on its own. A neighbor had stopped and was out of his car thinking i was in mine. He had a surprised look when I called out to him as I came out of our garage. I was able to walk at the side of the driveway where there was grass but it was so slick the rest of the way to my car I was about to fall He got me back to the safe area, took my keys and drove it up the clear spot that I wasn't able to get to yesterday when I came home. Meanwhile another neighbor came out as she had seen it and was heading over but she also had a large slice of pistachio cake for me. Problem solved we all stood outside and had a bit of a visit. I am so lucky to have such good neighbors.

[JudyJB]

The article on "woke" candies was pretty funny, but too true to laugh for long! As if we are all going to be negatively influenced by the shoes worn by a green candy, and as if women in this country run around all day in high heels to do their housework and shopping!! And, a lot of politicians are out of it if they think anyone really cares about this.

Did my income tax last night. I usually do it the last minute for two reasons: 1) I try to ignore unpleasant tasks, and 2) I usually owe money instead of getting a refund, so it is almost always an unpleasant task to find out how much I owe! The result, of course, is worrying about all of this for the months of January, February, March, and half of April. Last year, I owed the feds $1,000, but got a $1,000 refund from the state taxes, so I broke even. This year, I paid only a small amount of estimated taxes, and last February, I asked the feds to stop taking money out of my SS for the taxes I might owe on my SS. I have been worried that I would end up paying a lot of money on penalties for not estimating enough. However, for all my agony, I ended up getting a substantial amount of money from both the federal govt and the state! So, I am going to celebrate by going out and buying some new SAS shoes. I have not bought shoes in almost three years, and they are expensive, but I deserve it. Whew!

The American auto industry really has learned from the Japanese, and newer manufacturing processes prevent errors from being made, so quality is much better and vehicles last a lot longer. If you ever get to the Detroit area, you MUST visit the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, and while you are there, you can sign up for a tour of the Rouge Truck Plant where they have some really neat display boards that prevent workers from making mistakes!! And while you are there, eat at the historic Dearborn Inn across the road--expensive, but quite an experience. (Henry the First, built it as an airport hotel for his airport, which is now a test track.)

Weather is lovely today--high of 74 and sunny with a light breeze, and I am enjoying my view of the lake here! Old mosquito bite is fading, but found a new one on my upper left arm that is just developing, so I have taken some Benedryl and smeared it with cortisone cream. New bite devices will not arrive until Monday, unfortunately.

[BirdbyBird]

Judy, Cindy that I go dogs shows with has worn SAS shoes forever . Before she retired she was a high school educator and spent her days on her feet and moving. At some point in time she discovered Outlet SAS shoes and gently used SAS shoes. Because she knew what size she worn and who I shoes she liked she was able to confidently purchase her shoes at greatly reduced prices. I can personally testify that she had one particular style in about 4-5 different colors because she would pair the shoes up to match the dog show outfit she was wearing that day…

[Acadianmom]

I toured the SAS shoe factory in San Antonio years ago when I was on a bus tour with the Cattlewomen. Tina, like your friend I had several pairs in different colors. One day at work I looked down and had a black and a blue shoe on. That probably happened more than once. lol I started wearing the backless Clark shoes and now I'm spoiled to backless shoes. Now most of my shoes are Easy Spirit and I have to be careful I'm not wearing a black and a blue shoe again.

Martha

[JudyJB]

I have very weird feet. They are small, size 6.5, and I have a very high arch in my feet, plus the balls of my feet are very wide and my heel is narrow. I also have an area on the side of the big toe on my right foot where I had a bone splinter for years. It was removed, but it still is sore there. I have absolutely no swelling in my feet and no fat, but the high arch and wide toe area means I need at least a wide or extra wide, and most companies do not start wide sizes in women's shoes until the bigger sizes. And some shoes I cannot fit into at all because of my arch. I like the SAS sandals because I can separately adjust the buckles on front part, the arch area, and even the part that goes around my heels!! Problem is the ones I like are $180 - $190 a pair, which is shocking to me. I have tried Clark's and a couple of other brands, but they don't have the cushiony feel of the SAS shoes.

And I also have two colors of my favorite sandals. My biggest problem is that I am always getting them wet because I am mostly in campgrounds. It seems like I just cannot hook up a hose, or fill my fresh water tanks, without spraying water all over the place. And then I walk in mud, sand, or wet grass, and they get dirty. I do wash them with a toothbrush and Dawn, but the two pair I wear all the time are looking scruffy. I don't wear shoes in my RV, so I keep one pair in the driver's area and another pair in the side door area. I do keep one clean and relatively new pair in my closet for getting "dressed up" or at least as "dressed up" as one gets in my lifestyle!!

Tina, so where is this outlet your friend gets them from at a discount??? I would love to know. I also know my size and would love to get a discount, but that company does not often discount them.

[snowball]

think I solved the ice maker issue... used the blow dryer on it the bar went down further than it had been my question is why was it partway up we don't normally mess with that area... awhile back as I poured out the ice for mom's mug of water this morning... and I'm pretty sure it takes awhile to go through the bin of ice...
but who knows all that is important is we have ice
yesterday my dd cleaned the glass on the pellet stove... so then I really realized that the stove needed cleaning so did that then my normal daily things then I got dressed realized I'd missed a call from #1 daughter so gave her a call back she was returning my call but we still had a good visit... then I decided that I needed to go and start supper as I was making some things from scratch... like enchilada sauce and got tomatoes the other day to make salsa with decided I'd better do it or the tomatoes would need to go... tasted pretty good actually really good it's been awhile since I made salsa ... I liked the sauce it was at least to me tasted really good.... so all of this took of course longer than I thought supper was later than normal but I enjoyed it
so that was my day no Swedish weave but did get two rows on my crocheted afghan
Beth I'm curious where you were considering (the town) it's too bad it didn't happen though...
mom's car is a Subaru I've gotten so that I put the seat all the way back when getting out makes it a lot easier...
I don't recall how many miles my truck has on it and it does have some issues that need to be taken care of if I ever start driving it again... we will see when things are back to normal...
good to see your post Barbie
you all have a great day
sheila

[Bethers]

Sheila, Pinedale, WY. The job has a few negatives but I would have taken it if not for her constant hesitations. Now she's asked me if I'd reconsider and even accepting a July start. My response came back undeliverable, so I'll email again tomorrow. I think the universe has spoken though, but will decide that with tomorrow's email.

[Bethers]

Judy, I wear a 5 or 5 1/2 wide, have extremely high arches and plantar fasciitis. Shoes have always been a problem but since I found a certain Croc sandal solves my plantar fasciitis, works with my arches and wide feet, they are what I normally wear. Crocs only occasionally had this style anymore so when I can get them I stock up.

[BarbaraRose]

Just lost my post...

My eye appointment went pretty well altho my eyesight has changed quite a bit over the past couple years. I was wondering why I couldn't see very well while driving lately. I need to get new glasses. I love the frames I have had from Zenni the past several years but those frames are now "retired" so I need to find new ones. I don't like most of the styles out there now days so it will take me awhile to find ones I like. I have a narrow face so most glasses look too big on me.

Beth, do you get a free site with the volunteer job? What will you be doing there?

Those of you out east, stay warm and safe inside!

[Bethers]

Beth, do you get a free site with the volunteer job? What will you be doing there?

I get a free site. This one also has a bathroom with a shower for the volunteers if we want and laundry. I didn't ask if the machines are free. I'll be in the Visitor Center Information Desk and Gift Shop 3 days a week.

[BarbaraRose]

I think I would like that type of job. I hope you enjoy it!