ON WE GO INTO JANUARY

[Nasoosie]

GOOD MORNING TO US ALL!

International Falls is starting this day with 32 below zero F. this morning, so I guess we are pretty much tropical up here with about 23 above zero!

I cooked a turkey dinner yesterday for the kids who never did make it home from my daughter's house, as they were all too tired and hung over after staying up until around 7:00 am yesterday morning to take to the roads. Soooo......today they will have turkey leftovers. Needless to say, I was not a happy camper to not have them here, as they have to fly back to Orlando tomorrow. We are supposed to get fairly tough snowstorm beginning around noon today and lasting at least 24 hours, acccompanied with high winds and all. Perhaps their plane will not take off, and they will have to stay another day. (I can always hope!)

I have no clue what will be in store for today, as I'm not even sure when they will get here. The first Blue Moon (albeit a bit late) cross-country ski night of the season is happening in Lake Placid tonight, and I was hoping to go to that. However, if the storm is bad enough, we can forget that! It's a lot of fun----they have torch-lighted ski trails with places to stop and have hot chocolate or beer and hot dogs over toasty fires all along the trails. $15.00 covers your fee, and includes live music back at the lodge when you are finished skiing, too. Unlimited beer and food along the trails.

So, Molly and I are waiting for them to finally get home, and then we will decide what's to do today. I hope all of you will stop by and tell us about your doings, wherever you may be. I just put on a pot of fresh Hazlenut coffee, and there are some almond croissants that can be heated up and enjoyed.

On we go into January!

[avalen]

Good morning
slept in today, felt good. Coffee is a little weak this morning, I barely had enough
to make a pot so its off to the store today for sure. I should have went yesterday
but, you know how that goes when you get so busy doing stuff you forget.
Will continue to work on my projects, getting all the prepwork done so I can get
my tiles next payday.
The dogs are all still sleeping but I know it won't be long and they'll be up asking
for breakfast.
Enjoy your day and have fun.

[asirimarco]

Good morning to all - It is a cool about 63 overcast day here in Mazatlan. All the Mexican will be wearing there winter coats today. Those of us from the north are still in shorts.
Got Jennie washed and waxed yesterday $35 US- She looks nice. Stayed here all day yesterday as The Driver has his annual OMG I'm so sick cold! Just so he doesn't give it to me. '
Not doing much here this year that we didn't do last year so not much to say. Been trying to keep my blog and web pages up.
Wishing you great weather and safe travels where ever you are.

[AlmostThere]

Morning! It's 7:19 AM here in the PNW and I hear the garbage truck making it's 'day late' rounds. It was a day late last week also because of the Fridays being holidays.

Got a text from my DD around 9 last night that she and her family were home safe from their drive off Mt Adams where they have been for the past few nights with friends at a cabin. My DD said she was more than ready to come home and shower, wash clothes and get ready to go back to work this morning. They had gotten home earlier but my SIL forgot to tell her that there was basketball practice at 7 for Danica, the 9 yr old, so they had to quickly bathe and get her to practice. Looks like I'll be driving up the interstate for some Saturday games here soon. Oh, and they all leave again on the 6th for Disneyland for Amanda's birthday.

Today I should go workout, but NOT. I'll start my routine again on Monday. I should go get a few groceries as I'm running low on a few things. Nothing else exciting happening.

My friend just moved to International Falls, MN!! She's not real happy with the weather there but hey, it's where her hubby found work within his company so she has to find a way to get through it.

Enjoy your day! Coffee is hot and tasty.

[Echo]

GOOD MORNING SISTAHS!!!!!

Brrrrrr! It's 20f here, very light snow blowing around in an icy wind!! Gads! I am so glad that yesterday, of all things, David showed me one of those bouncy horses in the attic. (i had told him about the memories post and read him mine) While peeking at that I saw something black with narrow white stripes??? Asked David to hand it to me. Lo and behold it was my winter coat that I thought I had gotten rid of!!! Well let me tell ya it came out of the attic and I'm wearing the thing every time I go out the door. Oh goodness I'm a happy Echo. Warmest coat I think I've ever had. Told David that he will have to get that bouncy horse out of the attic and clean it up for Connor when he gets older.

Just stepped outside to check the temp, it has went all the way up to 21f now! Grabbed a couple pieces of firewood to get that stove burning good and warm. Had the bejeebers scared out of me when I got out there. Didn't see it until it honked at me, but the Peacock was right behind the house. Gads, about had heart failure! For as beautiful as they are they sure have a horrendous honk!!! Sheesh! Thing is strutting around with it's body feathers all fluffed out. Can't say that I blame it for the fluffing that's for sure.

Nothing on the agenda today other than dishes and housework as usual. Kelly started washing everyone's laundry last eve and will finish it up today. Group up and straighten up our stuff in anticipation of leaving out of here next weekend. David doesn't want to see us go and wishes we could stay longer. Jenny shocked the poop out of us by asking last week when we were leaving. I thought to myself, 'uh oh, here it comes'. She was wondering cause she was thinking as long as we were right here we could watch Connor while she started back to work. Or at least until she could get daycare started. ??? First time she has indicated that she felt we were capable of watching him without her right here. Yeah I know I'm cynical, but ya just have no idea. I still don't know how this is all gonna work out for the kids. I've sat and talked to David and would do the same with Jenny but she's not interested in what I might have to say. ~sigh~ Oh well, can't do anything more. David is calmer since we've been here and I have really tried to get him to back off and give it time to smooth out. I've got my fingers crossed and I'm saying my prayers for them.

I have 1/2 a pot of coffee sitting here waiting and I am channeling Barbz this morning with my Biscotti!!! I've got Turtle Pecan Biscotti and it has a layer of chocolate on it too. OMG! I'm in heaven! Miss Barbz cheerful "Good Mornings" and her bright pictures first thing in the morning! If ya'll want any coffee and a Biscotti grab a mug and a piece!!!!

Hope everyone has a good day, stay warm in all this cold weather. Remember to be safe in all that you do!!!!

Love to all

[bluepinecones]

GOOD FRIGID MORNING TO ALL
Can you believe it is as cold here this morning as it is at Soos! Wind chill at 15 right now. Forecast for record breaking sustained cold here thru next week with snow on Thursday. Guess I'll have to leave some faucets dripping while I'm gone and don't dare drop the temp on thermostat. My utility bill may end up being as expensive as the trip to FL. There are even freeze warning out all over FL. Right now, the only good thing about the forecast is that it will be dry for the days I will be driving on the way down to FL.
I did get the holiday decorations out of one of the antique malls yesterday. Most of the rest of this weekend will be taking care of all that has to be done before I leave - the list is so long it is getting scary.
BTW: If you don't know about using dried orange peel for fire starter, check out post under the FL gtg. Think we're going to need lots of orange peel for great big campfire!
Try to stay warm whatever you are doing today.

[BarbaraRose]

Woke up to -20 below zero this morning with -40 below windchill!! Had to get up early for work today. Luckily I have a garage to park in or my car wouldn't have started. It is only -4 below now (at 3:30 pm)! Very typical of January, tho. (I think everywhere is cold right now all over the country.)
I'm just hunkered down on the couch under a fuzzy blanket now.

Found a possible RV for sale just 20 miles south of here, so have to see what SO says about it. It is a class C, 2001 Coachman Pathfinder for $12,950. It sounds pretty good from the description but I called and left a message to get more info/photos of it.

I feel a nap coming on...

Barbie

[JanetA]

I'm almost ashamed to report how it is here on south central tx. I think it's in the high 50s (not exactly sure, but there abouts) SUnny and able to walk outside w/ the dog w/ just a sweatshirt on. NO coat. I am still housesitting for my cousin about 2 hrs south of my homebase w/ the parents in Brady. I am only about 20 miles NW of San Antonio.

I see now why ppl go south to winter. Although I LOVE snow, I know how tiresome it can get after about 6 mos. straight!

Hazlenut coffee for me these days... dunkin donut brand. WOW that's good!

Hope all spent a pleasant and safe NYE and have the best year ever! I plan to TRY!

love to you all!

J

[AlmostThere]

Barbie, just curious, do you have a block heater on your vehicle? When I lived in Alaska we always used ours. Almost everyone has them and most new cars are sold with them already installed. Work places have outlets installed to plug in while you are working.

[BarbaraRose]

I do have a block heater on my car. Last year I didn't have a garage at my apartment and was parked where there was no place to plug into. Now I park in an underground garage (very much worth the extra $50 per month!). Where I work part-time is at a strip mall so there are no places to plug into there. I am usually only there for a few hours each day tho so I shouldn't have a problem. My full-time job tho, I park in a ramp that does have plug-ins so I can do that next week each day. Thanks for reminding me...I need to get an extension cord. Hopefully, this will be my last miserable winter to worry about this stuff!! I am planning to move back to California as soon as I can afford to (may be easier/more affordable with an RV to live in).

Barbie

PS> It is -20 below right now and still dropping...no wind tho, so no windchill factor tonight.

[AlmostThere]

Barbie, the trick is to remember to unplug before you take off. It's funny to see someone else driving while dragging an extension cord, but embarrasing when it's you. Ask me how I know!!!

[BarbaraRose]

Yep, that is something I can see myself doing! I still look twice when leaving the gas station to make sure I don't still have the hose in my gas tank, (has never happened tho). I would have to leave a note on the steering wheel to make sure I remembered to unplug. Many years ago, I had a '67 Chevy Impala and would tuck a blanket around the engine at night to keep it warm (it worked!) and would leave part of the blanket hanging out of the hood so I would remember it was there so I wouldn't start the car with it still in there!

Barbie