It's Daylight in the Swamps

[Colliemom]

Up and at em everyone, it's daylight in the swamps (an old hunting saying). The sun is breaking on the horizon, the sky is blue. Going to be a great day. Well, here at least anyway. And as I type this, I know dawn has yet to break on the left coast and points in between.

First week or part of it anyway, are done at work for me. Now have a nice three day weekend. The last one off for me. I start working weekends next week.We have our annual staff orientation next Saturday, so will meet the new employees that have been hired for this season, find out all the new changes on th state level, and whatever else is planned for the day. It's usually role model acting to see how different people respond to created scenerios, a bit of team playing, the various state forms required for different things (pay slips, accident/incident reports, etc.) plus a host of other thngs we need to know.

A lot has been accomplished this past weeek despite the crummy weather. We have two toilet/shower buildings about ready to go, will finish them up this week now that it's a bit warmer to play with water. They are scheduled to be opened this next Friday (6th).

My one co worker and I spent all day yesterday picking up sticks. Needless to say, my body is tired and a bit stiff this morning, from all the bending over after close to 8 hours of it. We did take numerous breaks for a few minutes here and there though, as it's hard on the backs doing all that bending. But it is a necessary part of the spring cleanup as those bigger sticks and branches make it hard to blow leaves etc. with the big blowers. The campgrounds are done and so is the area around HQ. There are more areas to do, but will get to them later.

So this morning I am going to install the battery in my TT and then haul it over to the dealer near me here. They are going to prep it for me for summer. I don't have time to monkkey with it right now. Then I am heading to town to pick up some groceries, and mulch for around my trees. Since it's going to be a nice but windy day, want to get that done. Suppposed to cool off back into the 40's tomorrow, so will take advantage of weather today. Monday I plan to just spend a day elsewhere. Not sure where, but want to take the girls and go have some fun someplace. In a way, this would have been a great weekend for camping as I have the three days, but the TT isn't ready cause of the crummy and cold weather, and it's going to rain tonight, get chilly again tomorrow etc., So will wait. Am hoping to get one trip in before Memorial Day weekend.

Hope everyone has a great day. I am glad to hear that all of you in the southern states are okay althugh I know it's going to be rough for Sarah (bluepinecones). Liz, be careful as you journey across to her. Looks like the weather is going to settle down for awhile, so hopefully it will give all a chance to recoop although cleaning up from that devastation will not happen overnight.

[Nasoosie]

GOOD MORNING SUE AND ALL!

Although the tail end of the front that brought the tornadoes to the states north of us didn't give our area any much-needed rain, it sure did cool things off down here. Last night was even a sleeping bag night out on the screen porch. And this morning is much cooler and less humid than the past couple of weeks.

I bought some more mulch at WalMart last night to fill in around the adders' tongues I planted yeserday alongside the house, and a retaining strip to line the area with so the mowers will know where to guide their mowers. I also bought a rubber-like round piece of fake mulch to try to fit around one palm tree in the back yard to prevent the trimmers from coming so close to the tree as to constantly wear away its bark or skin at the bottom. If it seems to work and I can it fit properly around it, I will get a couple more for the other palms.

I still need to go to the trailer with a load of stuff to pack and to get the food I left there last weekend. Then it's back here to close this place up for the long hot summer, whatever that might entail. Perhaps, weather permitting, I will get on the road by next weekend. I sure hope my cough is better by then as my hernia gets very aggravated by the constant internal pressure of coughing.

I hope all our friends with no power are able to maintain themselves somehow, and that anyone who lost homes can find shelter until they decide what their next move will be. The countrysides look very much like the tsunami-stricken areas of Japan, and my heart aches for them. All of you on the roads, please be extra cautious of the skies and weather reports.

[BirdbyBird]

Herschel and Remi and I are headed off to visit their friends at the nursing home and then I will be running errands. The house needs cleaning but I am not in the mood and the "house police" are not at the door so it is not happening. It is suppose to get up to the 70's with sunshine and since this is the only "unscheduled" day I have I think I need to get some sunshine.....

I will be thinking of those that currently are facing some tough obstacles....."this too shall pass..." So here is to "keep it together"..... "bird by bird" you will get through........what ever needs getting through. ("bird by bird" is a reference to a story and a book by Anne Lamont " for those who haven't asked me that before )

[dpf]

Good morning! Coffee is fresh...grab a cup if you want one! Right now the sun is shining which has been very uncommon occurrence in the last month! Maybe it will put me in the mood to accomplish some tasks around here! Hard to believe that it's the last day of April, we've had such cold rainy weather that it doesn't seem possible that a month of Spring has passed. DH hasn't had a chance to even start field work so our prospects of our Memorial Day camping trip are quickly going down the tube. Every weekend on the May calendar is filled in with graduations, weddings and anniversary parties and it appears that if the weather straightens out I'll be attending all of them solo...as if it will break Dennis' heart that he doesn't get (have) to go to them!

Today I have to go to the grocery store and stock up on clear liquids and cushy toilet paper...I have to start my prep for a colonoscopy tomorrow morning for the procedure on Monday morning. Going to make sure I get the bathroom spiffed up and stocked with some reading material because I understand I'll be spending quite a bit of quality time in there!

[dayspring39]

Good Morning... windy windy windy here with gusts over 40 mph constant between 25/30... a little sun but not easy to walk outside... maybe the wind will dry the yard some so it can be mowed...
Today I need to go to the pet store and get Shadow food... he is almost out of it... so will go to the grocery store also... I would like to plant a couple of tomato plants and pepper plants but not sure if we are frost safe yet so will wait a couple of weeks...
I hope those that are cleaning up from the storms are safe and get the help they need to deal with the aftermath...
Those on the roads be careful... Soos hope your trip home is flawless and you enjoy it... Sue glad you have your first week behind you... Tina I know Hershel will love his day with his friends... what a great thing to make less fortunate people in nursing homes have a special day... (it could be us someday!) Ugh colonoscopy is not fun at all...one nice thing they only have to be done every 5 years...
Have a great day everyone...
Kathleen

[Liz]

Good morning from "on the road.!" I'm doing what I never do, traveling the interstates to get to my day's destination. Traffic is light, so it's ok. I'm driving a leisurely 55 mph, and stopping at almost every rest area. Roe's loving all the mini-walks and smells. Even Bandit got out for a walk on the leash this time.

I just met a gal from Key West who is off on her very first rving adventure with her dog in her new-to-her Roadtrek. We spied each other right away and I got to show her a few features about her RT 170 and mine. Of course, I told her about our wonderful forum too, so be sure to welcome Elaine from Key West if she decides to join us. She's gone now, heading west to California.

Tina, I met some Herschel look-alikes at Moffitt Cancer Center when I was there this week. They had quite a gathering around them. It's great that hoomans like you and dogs like them are willing to take the time to share some comfort and happiness to others who are perhaps missing their own pets.

It's a beautiful day to be traveling here. In the cool 50s this morning and now in the mid 70s. Guess I'll mosey on down the road....there's a nice State Park awaiting me, with trails to hike, a lake to kayak, geocaches to find, etc. Travel safely all.

[AlmostThere]

AFternoon, everyone! Cloudy here but the rain has held off and there are blue skies peeping out. Tomorrow they are forecasting in the 70s! The highways will be packed with people going nowhere in particular, just getting out of their homes.

By 10:30 I had already sat thru my GDs soccer game. I feel so sorry for the little girls having to play in the cold damp mornings but they seem to survive it.
While I was there I got a text from my niece who is driving out from Illinois. She said she'd be in WA late today and will call me in the AM! Although she is 37 yrs old and single, she has yet to travel very far so this trip has been really exciting for her. I wish I could talk her into moving out this way, but I think her heart will always be in Illinois.

I did manage to get all my lawns mowed! Albeit very wet, it still mowed fairly well for me.

Pat, don't forget: when doing the prep, you can stop drinking the gunk once your passing only yellow water. That means you are cleaned out. No sense in continuing if you don't need to, and your bum will thank you for it!

[dpf]

Thanks for the info Lenora! I don't have to drink the gunk...I have to take pills. 20 of them between 4:00 and 5:00pm at 15 minute intervals and 12 more between 8:00-8:30pm. Just about everyone I have talked to has had a different prep the only thing that remains the same in all of them is that the instructions say to remain close to toilet facilities.

[AlmostThere]

I had heard there were pills, but you are the first that I know to have them. I bet you have to drink allot of water with them, tho.
Let us know your results!ou!