THURSDAY WARM AND WET

[Nasoosie]

GOOD MORNING ALL!

Dawn came up warm and with rain in the forecast for us in Orlando today, which will be nice for the green things that are making a comeback after December's frosts down here. Morning over the pond makes a perfect place to have coffee in my screen room. The more I work on this house, the more I am loving it. It is the perfect size for me, has no cellar or attic to stash 'stuff', requires no woodstove feeding, no AC at this time of year, utilities are dirt cheap, trash gets picked up several times a week, hence no dump runs, lawn gets mowed and trimmed, oranges fall into my hands from my trees, neighbors are nice, kids playing outside all the time after school make for cheerful and happy laughter, pool and spa get serviced for me, and I can walk with Molly in the evenings after sundown by the light of these things they call 'streetlights'! No headlamp required! There is the pond, canals, and Shingle Creek in which to paddle my canoe, and the surrounding wooded trails on which to walk and see all the southern-type flora and fauna. Sigh. And then I have my ritzy campsite and trailer back at my son's to which I can retreat for yet another wonderful environment.

I will look forward to spring in the Adirondacks, and summer and fall there, also. I miss the fun parts of winter, like skiing, the majesty of newly-fallen snow, Winter Carnival....that's this weekend back there. Perhaps I can get in an early ski session or two next fall before I once again head back here to this paradise. As long as I can afford to keep both homes and my trailer, I guess I will continue as I have been doing this year.

Molly and I will walk between the raindrops today (or the heavy-duty rain showers that seem to hit this place like wandering waterfalls!) and I will make two new screens for the back bedroom from kits I got at Lowes yesterday. I need to get my canoe back here after this weekend when I go back to the trailer for a sunny, warm time there with the kids. I will dream about the Winter Carnival back home, and hope that my daughter might take a few pictures for me. I can take this!

[Colliemom]

Good Morning Soos and All,

Well, here we are, the 10th day of February already. Next week marks the halfway point and before we know it, March will be here. Can spring be far behind. For those of you down south and in the central midwest and even southern Michigan, spring will be working it's way in faster than it does up here. Spring really and truly arrives here in May although our snow is gone in April but doesn't mean that a little spring snowstorm can come along. We have had snow showers on Mothers Day. But one of the true signs of spring that I look for is the Weight Restrictions (or Frost Laws as they are called) being put on the local roads. Then you know that the frost is coming out of the ground. And also, three weeks from this Sunday, Daylight Savings Time will lchange for those of us who have it. Ah, the longer nights are about to return. As is, even now it's twilight dark at 6:30 here.

Cloudy here this morning and we did have about an inch of snow yesterday. No big deal. The trees are all frosted this mornng. I am not going to bother with the snow as more is predicted when the Clipper comes through tomorrow night. So will just wait till the weekend. It is supposed to start warming up and looks like we might make the upper 30's an dmaybe even some mid 40"s by next week.

Back to spring cleaning here today. Want to go over both bathrooms and also clean my laundry room. Then I will be on the downhill side of it. Just the living room and hall and my mud room left. Will leave the mud room for last. It has those plastic inside storm windows on my windows and I am not ready to take them off just yet. As it gets closer to March and the sun is getting warmer, then I will take them down. So might just spring clean the whole works at that time. Have to take the valances off anyway, so will wash them then.

Soos, you sound so content in your winter home and you make it so inviting as well. You have the best of both worlds right now. Enjoy it to the fullest.

I have been reading Levveda's posts and blog and I can tell that she is starting to find "small town" American already. I envy her on this trip she has planned and it is really pulling on me to do somethng similiar as well. This is a big country, and there are a lot of wonderful sights and wonderful people out there. It calls for exploring. I know that if I list this house for sale, it will not sell immediately anyway and it may even take a few years. So an undertaking of that nature will require some very deep planning and financial resources, plus probably a new RV to do it in. So this year, we will start the thought process, see where this year leads and go from there.

Right now it's time to get a load of wash going and get busy in here. I'm starting to see some blue sky breaking out, so it might be a sunny day yet. Have a great day all and safe and enjoyable travels to those on the road.

[Birdie]

Good morning! Soos we had the rain last night here at the Escapees park in Summerdale, AL. Down south and a bit east of Mobile. Will be headed to St. Joseph Penisula State Park for a couple of nights. Hopefully the 50's will feel like 70's . It's in the upper 30's here right now. Will do the final inside break down at 8:30, then outside and pay for the night and pull out. Should get to night's destination by mid-afternoon.

Sue, hope you keep planning a little get-away for early spring. I too am planning for that time to be here quickly, as I have started planning where I'll be headed for the birding month of April, have to plan this between GTGs

If you are on the road, be safe. If you are parked have fun, then have some more fun.

[Redetotry]

Brrr it is definitely not warm here, it was zero when I got up, supposed to go up to 26 by mid afternoon. Tomorrow though, the warm up starts, 50's for next week!!! We had maybe two inches of snow yesterday but what a traffic mess it made. There were cars and trucks in pile ups all over. The salt won't work at the low temps we're having so roads were just sheets of ice. I think I'll just stay put!

I wish I could be productive like you Sue, when I have to stay home I tend to avoid housework and projects. If you want a change of scenery come down here and motivate me! Soos you make your place sound so perfect, I can't imagine you miss the the winter at your other home. I was so afraid your heat would fail and you would just freeze some night. I've crossed one of my worries off my list now that you are in FL Birdie so glad to see you are headed South!

Did anyone else watch the PBS show last night and see the dog that could recognize 1000 toys by name? It was amazing, I can't understand why researchers are just becoming aware of how smart dogs really are, guess none of them took the dogs they were studying home with them and actually interacted with them in real life situations.

[Forestgal]

Good morning all!

It's a beautiful and cool morning here -- 48* at 6:30 when I was heading to school. It's supposed to get into the 70s today, so I may be eating lunch with some of my kids outside today. Every Tuesday & Thursday anyone who brings their lunch to school can eat with me if they'd like. It's fun, the kids enjoy it, and it gives them a chance to do something a little different. Plus, they seem to eat better when they bring their lunch. Cafeteria food is ... not food.

I take the same route every day & usually see a woman walking a beautiful chocolate Lab. Don't know her, but she must be nice since she's got a Lab. Today she was struggling, though, because there was a loose, BIG dog who wanted to follow her. The loose dog didn't seem aggressive, but it was nerve-wracking to watch her with her Lab. I rolled down my window & asked if she wanted a ride. She said that the other dog had tags but she couldn't manage to check them with both dogs. So I pulled over, got out the leash I had in my glove box (don't all dog people carry extra leashes?), and was easily able to clip it on to Max's collar. He luckily had a tag with a phone number on it, so my new friend Gail was able to call his owners and they came and picked him up. Turns out that there had been another dog, but due to a broken gate both had gotten out & the other dog had been hit & killed a couple of days ago. So Gail and I were feeling pretty good that we were able to get Max off the street. Let's hope that his family gets that gate fixed so there aren't any more tragedies. That area of town is thick with wildlife -- coyotes included -- and he could have met up with all sorts of trouble. As it was I think he'd already gotten a little personal with a skunk ... phew! Had to wash my hands well when I got to school. But if that's the worst of it to make sure a dog's safe it was worth it.

Today is a District-wide earthquake drill. Of all the things that could happen at school earthquakes scare the bejezzus out of me. Not the earthquake itself, but more the fact that I'd be stuck here until the last kids got taken care of, while my home and animals are alone. Being single leaves me at the bottom of the pecking order in terms of who leaves first. Oh well. It's good to practice so we know what to do if we have a "big one". So far every major quake we've had in the past 20 years has happened outside of school hours. Four more years ... let's hope my luck holds!

Okay, off to get ready for the day. Have a great one everybody!

Laura -- and Jed

[Bethers]

Laura, Good for you stopping and helping that dog get home. It's too bad the other one didn't make it - but yes, pat yourself on the back - you helped reunite this dog and owner.

Also, I like your bag lunch days. I know these last years are wearing on you - so glad to hear you keep doing these things that make you and the kids happier.

[AlmostThere]

Morning!
Furnace is running so I assume we are in the low 30s again, but suppose to warm up to near 60. I see my grass is starting to stretch and wake up. Before I know it I'll be complaining about having to mow again.

Speaking of furnaces. I get mine checked today (sometime between 9 and noon). Just yearly maintence.

I talked with my DD yesterday and she said her youngest, my 9 yr old GD, stayed home from school because she had had a dream about her Grandpa (my X who just passed before Christmas), and she was heartbroken. Just sobbing and sobbing. My DD sat and talked with her and then went and found a past picture of my GD with her Grandpa together in a hammock and she was smiling up at him. She asked if she'd like the picture, not to make her sad, but to remember happy times. I think I've mentioned a few times how tenderhearted my GD is. Keep her in your prayers.

Soos, I do believe you've taken to retirement! I know your cabin will always be in your heart, but it's fun to hear you enjoying your time in FL! Good for you!

Diana made it back to CA and sounds happy to be there and out of winter's clutches in TX.

Everyone have a super, duper day!

[Irmi]

Good morning everyone!

I'm new here and am excited to become a part of this great group of people!

It's cold here on the eastern shore of MD and we had snow showers last night. The weather men were saying the snow would stay south of us, but we got a dusting just the same. The public schools here were delayed for 90 minutes waiting for the sun to come up to help with seeing where the snow covered portions of the roads are. Despite our cold temperatures now, we're supposed to see temperatures in the 40's on Saturday and we may possibly see 50 degrees on Sunday. Hopefully the warmer temperatures will give me the gumption to get out to the motorhome to see what preparations need to be made for the first weekend out.

[OutandAbout]

Good morning Sistahs. Man is it cold here. Woke up to minus 5, with wind chill minus 11. By late afternoon it should be a balmy 26 We didn't get the snow they predicted, which was great. Only got about 5". North of us got it all. Up to 2 feet in some places. I say WINTER BE GONE, enough already. The good news is that starting tomorrow the temps are rising and will be almost 60 over the weekend. Happy days ahead. My favorite seasons are spring and fall, can leave the other two.

Soos, it's so glad to see you enjoying your first winter as a snowbird. I can foresee canoeing taking over your thoughts of skiing. Isn't it nice to have the outside maintenance taken care of? More time to play. You have the best down there between your house and your "Campsite".

Nice to see you posting Irmi. Our schools are still closed and will probably stay closed tomorrow as well. Side walks are still not cleared.

Well off the finish reading and they will attack the front walk (well maybe). Linda

[Ljpeterlin]

Hi everyone,

I am happy and a bit upset this morning.

First of all, Sue, I am glad you are thinking about heading out to small town America, it has been fun so far!

Second, I did see the dog who can identify all the toys and that was super impressive!!

Now for my gripe:

I am staying in a state park with internet only at the front desk, and it is raining. I came up here with Wrigley and there were four people hanging around the desk for internet use, skyping. I waited and waited and finally decided I need to get under some covering, because I did not want my computer to get wet. I went under the covering and Wrigley tried heading over to say hello, the guy started yelling and I pulled on his retractable leash which did not help, so I was putting the computer down, and the guy just got out of the way, but his wife went up and kicked Wrigley. I told her she should not kick him, he is just a puppy and I was trying to pull him back, but the retractable leash was not working and my hands were full with the computer. She could have stepped back two steps and been out of his reach! I feel bad for people who are afraid of dogs, but really, kicking a puppy on a leash?
The rest of the time Wrigley sat next to me like a good dog, but they never said a thing except that they should tell the park ranger..Then they would not vacate their seats, just to irk me, but I waited them out and finally sat down. I don't believe they are from around here, because they did not speak english, but it sure got me riled up.

Well I am cold sitting outside doing my computer work today, Wrigley and I will continue our walk now,
Hope everyone has a super day,

http://wp.me/p1dq6M-49

[Echo]

GOOD MORNING SISTAHS!!!!

Soos you sound so content and relaxed!!! loved the sound of your post this morning! The beauty of the northeast is one reason I could never live in the desert full time. I would so miss the temps, the trees, the grass and forest covered mountains! Deserts are good to be in for a visit or maybe a little longer if visiting but much prefer the trees and greenery of the east!

Chilly here this morning but at least the wind isn't howling and whipping around so far today! Temp is only suppose to be about 45f here today but then a nice warming is coming. Says maybe high 50's. Ohhhh? Maybe we will see ?60?, now that would be super. So while it's chilly here at least we don't have 2 foot of snow to deal with! Ahhhhhhhhhhh

Lavida? If someone were to kick Shade???? I would be doing some kicking of my own!!! And I know whose butt I would have been kicking!!! Those people don't sound like they were afraid, they just sound horribly mean and nasty!!!! Sorry, but if you don't like dogs stay the he77 out of where people with dogs congregate! I'm still sitting here fuming and in somewhat shock that someone would do that to a puppy while the owner is standing right there! OMG!

Nothing much going on here of course. Need to do some digging around for my letter/debit card from the bank. Have no idea what so ever where it got stuck in here. We have a lockbox in the closet and it should have gotten put in there. But.......... So need to find it or else call and have a new one mailed to me. I know it's in here somewhere??? ~sigh~

OK, enough jabbering time to go off to read and catch up on ya'll. Hope you have a awesomely nice day and remember to do so safely!!!

Love to all

[Acadianmom]

Laura, glad you were able to rescue Max and make a new friend. It aggravates me so much to see people walking in town and letting their dog follow not on a leash. Or ride loose in the back of a pickup. If they loved their dogs they wouldn't do that. My DH fell out with one of his nephews because he came to the house with his dog in the back of his truck. Harold said something to him about bringing his dog and he said that he wouldn't get out of the truck. Well the first thing he did was jump out and spook a horse. My DH has no patience and told him to take his dog and not come back.

Lenora, your daughter might see about getting some counseling for your GD. My son was very close to his Grandmother, my mother-in-law. She lived to be 95 but when she started going down we knew it was just a mater of time. My son was taking it hard so he and I started going to counseling. I think that was the only time counseling helped him.

You will meet all kinds at a campground but most of the time people are nice. I try to stay away from state parks in the summer time. So many people think they can just turn their kids loose. I would rather see loose dogs, they do less damage.

Martha

[dayspring39]

My Good Morning has dragged into afternoon here... drizzly and cooler than I would like outside...
Soos your attitude has changed so much from the drudgery of last year... you were so down with those unteachable children... I along with most are so happy you are doing so very good...
The park owner here would not let the rv repair people come into the park... so I have to have him check out my water heater... he did level Bright Hope for me now I can walk without hanging onto the walls... other neighbors put down my stabilizers and made sure I was completely level... there are a lot of nice people here... Bob one of my neighbors said maybe Art knows something about the people that I do not know... many of the people here have been coming back for several years so it is a good place to be...
Oh my I am sad someone would go so far as to kick your puppy that is totally uncalled for and they are the ones that should be reported to the manager...
the sun wants to break through and the clouds are beginning to part...
Oh, yes Martha I agree grief counseling is a good thing... I am not sure but maybe most are for older people but they may have one for children... Lenora times are hard you and your family are in my prayers and thoughts daily...
Take care everyone enjoy this day...
Kathleen

[Ljpeterlin]

Thanks for assuring me my initial reaction to go kick her was not out of line...believe me if it wasn't for mom being left alone I probably would have. I would have kicked her and said "so how does it feel?" Ugh!
I am just now calming down.

[Bethers]

Kicking a puppy? I'd be more than upset, I'd have probably wanted to go kick the person who did that! There MIGHT be an excuse if the dog was attempting to bite to hurt, but just because he's in the way. What can I say - there are some not so nice people out there. As for internet - you're lucky the sp even has internet - not many do. The one in KY I was at added it specifically for us Amazon workers (Amazon covered the cost - other people had to pay to use it).

New neighbors just pulled in next to me. Went out and said hi. They have a humungous 5th wheel. That's fine, but they parked their truck so that 1/2 of it is in MY site, so it doesn't block theirs. Rude - hmmm - not sure if I'll say anything or not - will wait and see if he leaves it there. Usually I keep my mouth shut, and let these little irritations go - but they fester within me, so maybe I should start speaking up. People sure do to me!

(I posted this earlier - but when I just looked, it was under Rufflesgirl. I hope that she didn't have a post that mine somehow overrode? Do not ask me how that happened - I have not a clue - gremlins? So I deleted that and added this below the others)