Irene on Saturday AM!!

[flick4411]

Here in Central VA, it's raining like crazy, but we've got no real wind yet. Supposed to be picking up to about 45 MPH sustained later. We need the rain here, so that's a good thing. Looks like Irene downgraded herself over night...and that's ok. But still hoping everyone to the north of me is safe and sound with food, water, and flashlights ready just in case. Hopefully everyone is prepared but not required to do more than just hunker down. At this time, Irene hasn't yet made landfall, but the weather folks say it's due within the hour.

One interesting thing I heard on TV: the most damaging storms to hit the East Coast have all been named "I" names.They listed more than a half dozen named "I" names. Maybe we need to stop naming storms with "I" names???

Y'all be safe out there!!!

[avalen]

good morning ladies, I was just reading up some of the news articles on the storm and how much damage it left behind in the bahamas, so certainly hope all are in a safe place on the east coast.
Up early getting my saturday chores done, laundry right now and then as the sun comes up I'll get to the store and take care of that too, also a trip to auto zone to get a new thermostat for my car, had to replace my radiator and the shop didn't put in a
new thermostat, seems like a customary thing to me but since I didn't mention it to him he didn't do it. Son said him and his friend would do that today and also check that the shop put enough coolant in the radiator as the needle on the temperature gauge
climbed a little over half on the way home. Not a good sign to me as it used to NEVER move until my old radiator split open the other day. But I'm still happy with the service I got from the radiator shop, they let me make two payments by check to pay for it cause otherwise I'd be broke right now. In reality, I'm still broke but at least have enough to get my weeks gas and groceries until the next payday which is the bigger payday. Will hope for good tips this weekend so I don't tap out my tip bank this week. I haven't been totally broke since I started my second job so all is good right now and son was notified to stop in monday and check out his new office and computer setup, so thats encouraging too, rent will get caught up as son will be getting back to work. August was certainly a tough month but we got through it and things are looking up.
Yesterdays high was 117 and I really felt it! It was SO hot! Haven't heard the weather report for today yet, it almost doesn't even matter, when its hot, its hot and knowing the figures doesn't make me feel any better. I'm just so tired of summer and want it to be over.
Anyone heard from Echo and Kelly? Wondering how their doing up at that big hole in the ground called the grand canyon.
Washer is spinning out and time for a refill on coffee, Everyone be safe and hope ya'll stay out of harms way, and otherwise have a great day.

[Forestgal]

Good morning from the Left Coast.

Sharon, you picked a good time to get out of Dodge. We've got triple-digit temps here at least through Tuesday. I don't like having to keep the house buttoned up with the AC on 24/7, but for now that's what's happening. Jed gets his daily stroll almost before it's light outside which isn't right either. But I guess I ought to be thankful that I've got AC, so I'll quit whining ... for now.

Think I might head to the beach for a while today. My cleaning lady should be here by 8:30 and I like to get out of her way. I'd really like to stay home and work on my cross-stitch so I'm going to take it with me. If it weren't going to be so bloody hot I'd go sit in my trailer & work on it. My next-door neighbor is going to be gone and has offered to let me hang out in her place & I might just do it.

Frankly, I'm not awake enough to know what I'm going to do. I'm sure I'll find some sort of trouble to get into. For those of you in Irene's path, please be careful. Sure wish some of the rain could move a little further west & help those Texans out.

Have a good day, everyone.

Laura -- and Jed

[Acadianmom]

You might be right about not naming any more I storms. The last really destructive hurricane on the gulf coast was Ike. Just watching all the news reports and remembering how much has to be done to get ready for a storm. The anniversary for Katrina will be Monday the 29th, Rita was September 23 and Ike was September 13. Our worst month is coming up.

Martha

[dayspring39]

Good morning everyone, we will have a sunny day in the mid-80s that is not bad.
I will go outside today and see if I can move around. That will be good I have become such house plant! with the pain starting to subside I am beginning to look forward to going to Michigan.
My daughter Margie brought me a chicken sandwich last night and we chatted for while that was very good have not had a chance to chat with her and I always enjoy her company. When she was born she was a child I did not want I had had three children she was the fourth in 2 1/2 years, by the time I was 20 years old. People told me she will be the child that in your old age You will be glad you had her that was hard to believe then but now it is very true. She was the easiest child to raise and never caused any problems. Now she helps anyone she can and is a very giving person. She most definitely is a blessing.
I am glad people on the coasts are taking shelter and many have moved in land the storm is such a monster. I have had contact with friends on the coast and at this time all our well.
I hope things are going well for all of you and that you have a good day whatever you do,
Kathleen

[Nasoosie]

GOOD MORNING ALL!

I cannot believe the Ruckus is already over, and the property is once again empty and lonely! At least Mandy and Joe are still here, but they, too will be gone in a week, or less. Mandy plans to spend her last month of pregnancy at her home so as to be closer to the hospital where she will deliver the baby.

What a letdown every year, when I see the rigs pulling out of the driveway. At least the three who left today are heading west, and should have a good day to drive. It is sunny and cool, so far, and we aren't expecting rain until late tonight and tomorrow, with winds accompanying. The latest path looks as if it will stay mostly east of us here in the Adirondacks. Richard took off yesterday and spent the night at one of his favorite VT campgrounds before heading home for the first time in about a month. His spot looks extra vacant, as he was such good company for a long time. Anita is trying to make a lot of miles into PA, Hersey, I believe, for tonight. Liz is taking the shortest trip to just outside Fort Drum near Watertown for a while, until heading south to Beth's GTG. Pete will make tracks to close to Buffalo, I think he said, for tonight, and then finish his trip home to Ohio tomorrow. We all missed Carol for the past few days, but were so glad she could make the trip for as long as she was able.

Our last food fest was a blueberry pancake breakfast with Adirondack maple syrup (maybe Cedar's family's syrup??) and Norman's General Store home-made sausage.....and, of course, coffee. We missed Cedar's pancakes, but I did my best!

Anita gave the hornet's nest another direct shot of poison spray again last night while I held the flashlight. They had come back after a few days of no activity. I guess that spray doesn't last in the nest, as they were all adding to it and building it bigger. This morning, Liz and I spotted a few hornets in the opening that were still quivering, so we nailed them through the hole at the bottom of the nest again. That finishes off the can of spray.

I already have things all cleaned up, the extra refrigerators shut off so I can wash them down later when they defrost, and now I will make a Saturday dump run. I need something to occupy my time now. I regret not getting the paddleboat into the water to use while everybody was here. Liz offered to help me with it one day, but it is so heavy I declined. Then I forgot about it. Roe and Bandit and Molly had good times walking the trails! Richard's dogs took daily walks to the pond, as well.

Pete helped me get my tire pressure sensors all transmitting info to the receiver, so I should be able to use them on my trip south this year. One needed to be screwed down more tightly than the others as it wasn't registering.

I hope all of you on the east coast are safely inland today, and that wherever you are will be not too bad weatherwise. I can't believe the lasting heat in the western states.

Sigh-----why do the good times have to end??

[dayspring39]

Just a short note to let everyone know I talked with Sarah her Internet is down and she wants everyone to know she will post as soon as she can.
Soos know how vacant your place must look and how you must feel enjoying Mandy and Joe while they are there, grandma!
Kathleen

[Liz]

The blueberry pancakes were so good, loaded with fresh blueberries, that I ate 3 of them! Pete cooked sausage which went well with them. I stopped at a little IGA in Tupper Lake for a few groceries....milk mainly. Then noticed a pretty park on the shores of the lake....stopped here for a break, took Roe for a walk....he likes all the goose poop lying around. I'm sure he'd love to roll in it if I'd let him. There is a produce/farm stand across the street, so walked over there for fresh veggies and fruit.

Am enjoying a light lunch and checking the news before traveling on. My GPS tells me about 2 hours to go to my cg. I plan to stay there until Labor Day...maybe get caught up on my blog.

The Ruckus has been the best GTG...so relaxed, plenty to do if we wanted, easy to sit around and chat, great campfires. Soos is a wonderful hostess and the food, of course, was all outstanding. Thanks, Soos.

[BarbaraRose]

Hi gals! I just got home from Paradise! San Diego, to be exact

Had a wonderful three days down there with Steve. We stayed at a polynesian style resort on Shelter Island on SD Bay. It was gorgeous there and the weather was perfect! Sunny and upper 70's! Was a shock to drive back home to 106 degrees here this morning! Yikes!

Got a lot of sun (a little too much on my shoulders) and spent a lot of (Steve's) money . He insisted on paying for everything and even took me shopping for clothes (his idea) and bought me $250 worth of fancy clothes (his taste) I will probably never wear.

We went out to Point Loma to the lighthouse, to Ocean Beach shopping, and walked along the beach to Dog Beach which is Dog heaven!! Lots of very happy dogs running around chasing each other in the surf!

Went out for dinner each night and drinks afterwards. Spent time at the hotel pool and hot tub. Drove down to the Embarcadero yesterday and took a tour of a Russian submarine (his choice), and old ship, and then down to Seaport Village (my choice).

He was a little moody at times but we got along well. We definately don't have anything in common which we already knew but discovered some new things this time around (clothing tastes, food, sightseeing places, etc.). But we always manage to have fun together anyways.

I took a ton of photos (spent some time in La Jolla before getting down to SD on Wednesday), so will try to get those posted soon...

Also painted my new room Wednesday morning. Turned out really nice! Really warms the room up a lot but still bright in there.

Gotta get ready for work now...

Have a great day!

[Anniepoo]

A very late good morning to you all!

Avalen, I can sure sympathize - it's scary having car repairs and not knowing
when the costs will end.
My recently replaced transmission's having leaking again. I'm much less than thrilled. Trying to figure out what to do about it now.

Good friend Douglas, who I gave my old RV to, is moving, and there's a short gap between when he has to get out and when the new place is available, so he and daughter are going to do a few days 'fulltiming'.

Nasoosie, you have tire pressure sensors? As my body gets older, things like that sound more and more appealing. Gotta tell us about the sensors!

I'm afraid breakfast wasn't much, just oatmeal, and some herbal tea.

Spending the morning working on some work related stuff, and doing a bit of pick up around the house.

And it's lunch time already.

ANnie

[carold]

Hope everyone is having a good day and those on the east coast are safe. We are in Clayton, NY by the 1000 islands until the 31st visiting with my sister and BIL who have been here for 3 months. They have quite a few friends from the Rochester area who have summer homes on the river. Today we got to take a ride in one of their boats. The weather was great as well as the company. Hopefully, we will get some pics on the blog. tGM forgot his camera, so we have to wait for my sister to send us the ones she took. On Tuesday we are taking the toad into Watertown for some minor work and tomorrow there is a craft festival. Went to a great place for dinner last night-sat outside while the owner and friends played music. That's all folks! carold