Cloudy Monday

[Colliemom]

Good Morning from the 45th,

Cloudy here this mornng and supposed to remain that way for the day. Had just a dusting of snow last night. Probably got the roads a bit slick this morning.

I'm popping in for a short before I have to get cleaned up and head to town. Chiropractor and Dentist appts. on the schedule for this a.m. Probably a run to store for some fresh grapefruit too. Will have a little time to kill between the appts.

I see our friendly U.S. Postal Service is making another move to slowly put themselves out of business. Now it's talking of ceasing overnight deliveries of mail. Sadly, one of the processing centers they may close is located here in Gaylord, which could mean a loss of 100 jobs locallly. People up here think it's crazy anyway, to close this facility which has immediate access to the freeway and is centrally located in the middle of the state with a major cross state trunkline runnning through town, so they can keep a processing center open on the west side of the state, which will involve having to truck the mail the width of the state and from the freeway all the way over to the west side on two lane roads. And back again. So it will slow our mail delivery down. They have had public meetings on it and after some suggestions were made during these meetings, the PO admitted they didn't think about those ideas before they started their study. And they wonder why they are losing money So looks like yours truly will be joining the ranks of online delivery of my bills. And probably direct payments to my medical insurer who does not bill on line.

So, how's everybody's Christmas shopping and preparations coming along? Got your plans made for the day yet? I know there are those who's families have multiple Christmases due to distances, married children having to do Christmas with the others family etc. Hmmmm, years ago, we did Christmas on the day and if somebody couldn't make it that year, will it was see you next year then. Oh well.

Well, time to quit jabbering about my thoughts rolling around in my head this morning and get with it. Have a nice day all.

[Sojourner]

Morning Sue, and those to follow -

We're a little nervous that they may close our facility as well - it really seems as though they are shooting themselves in the foot. There was a rumor a while back that they would end Saturday deliveries, which (IMHO) would make more sense if they are trying to staunch the flow of money.

Cloudy, cold and rainy here - our first real taste of Winter. Boy have we needed the rain.

Hope everyone is warm and traveling safely this week.

-Megan

[Irmi]

Good morning Sue & everyone!

Sue, I hope you appointments go well today and that you get your other stops in for the things you need.

It's very foggy on the eastern shore of MD this morning. It was extremely hard to see coming into work this morning, between being dark and foggy. The schools in the area are all opening late this morning. Although I only drive 1-1/2 miles each way going to work, I really don't like driving in the fog or when it's dark out, but I only have 15 more days of worrying about that.

I spent a good part of the weekend rearranging the inside storage areas in the motorhome preparing for our winter trip. The closer the date gets to leaving, I'm really starting to get excited.

Have a good day everyone!

[Brewsterivy]

Good morning Sue and everyone... yes, a cloudy day here also with rain in the forecast. I did a lot of Christmas shopping yesterday and am almost finished. Yesterday at Costco I purchased 3 Panasonic stereo systems (one for me ) at $69.99 each ($15 off). They are just great - beautiful sound and have been compared to the Bose systems by many reviewers. It has a CD, radio, clock , and an Ipod port and is all in a small and nice looking black design. I chucked my big set with the speakers and separate radio and fit this onto the shelf nicely. It is on sale until the 18th if interested. Perfect size for an RV.

I would definitely be in favor of ending Saturday mail delivery as long as the post office left its box area open for those who get their mail delivered to a PO box. I would say that 95% of my mail is junk mail, mostly catalogs and ads. Bills are the only real mail I receive and occasionally a few thank you notes which I love to get! I really miss handwritten letters and postcards.

It's a bit odd having such warm weather this time of year but I will not complain. Last year was such a horrific year for snow and ice that a mild winter would be wonderful.


Carol Brewsterivy

[Nasoosie]

GOOD MORNING ALL!!

I visited Sea World from about 10:00 am to 4:00 pm yesterday, and was pleasantly surprised how, even with the new company in charge of the place, it still maintains such a high quality of organization, cleanliness, happiness, and the most spectacular Christmas decorations I have ever seen! I went to a couple of the shows, including the new pet show which features cats, dogs, pigs, skunks and more doing feats like I would have never thought possible! The neatest thing is that the animals are all rescues from local shelters, and they all seem to thoroughly love what they are doing! I also walked into Shamu Stadium in time to see Tilicum, the gigundous killer killer whale, make his entry into the stadium and perform his rounds alone in the gigantic tank. I never met him before, and he is the biggest aquatic animal I have ever seen. I always have mixed feelings about seeing these huge mammals in captivity, my emotions torm between 'they belong free' and my being able to see them closeup. Tilicum is the saddest story, as I am still sure, in my heart, that he did not mean to kill his beloved trainer last year. He was just being a killer whale who was a bit overrambunctious with the girl who also loved him. At least that's my story, and I'm sticking to it. He is the most beautiful creature I have ever seen, bar none. From the first time I attended Sea World, I wanted to be a trainer and work with those creatures.

As it is now, I am applying for part-time work there, and I will do whatever they need me to do, from poop-scooping on up! Having some money coming in would be welcome, and being somewhere I love to earn it would be icing on the cake.

My plans for the day are to go to my bank and see if there are two people there who will witness my signing the agreement between me and the oil company in charge of the well on my ND property and get that document mailed off. Any money from that deal will be most welcome at this point.

I am also ooking for my marriage certificate that Mandy mailed to me so I can go back to the DMV and get my FL ID card. They needed proof that I changed my name from my birth name to my married name. Let's hope I have it all this time. This time I will bring a crossword puzzle book with me to kill time while waiting!

I brought my stereo from home to this house this year, as last year, when I looked for a good stereo system, there were none to be found. I discovered I can also play my MP3 player through the in-sockets in the back of it with the adapter I bought from WalMart. So I am set! I have always loved the sound on this, which is a Panasonic with a super woofer and 5-disc CD player, and double tape player/recorder. It sounds as if you found a great deal, Carol!

Happy Monday to everyone!

[chalet05]

Soos, I wish I had thought of Sea World in California being decorated for Christmas - maybe I need to look into that as it is still early in the month!

It's another cold morning. I had back and shoulder issues yesterday so accomplished nothing! Got me out of playing the D*&# board game last night! I am working toward getting out of it all together. I suppose it sounds silly that some game can drive me up a wall - especially when everyone else seems to thrive on it!

After the quad ride in the cold Saturday, I decided I need a few warmer items if I'm going to do that! Today we are off to Cabella's in Glendale/Peoria areas of Phoenix - 2 hours one way. Just happens the big shopping mall is right there, too! I don't need to shop, just want to take in the Christmas atmosphere. Harbor Freight is just up the street so LeRoy can go entertain himself there. Major WalMart stop on the way home.

Christmas shopping for the grandkids was all done via Amazon and shipped to my two daughters. Cards have been sent - actually early this year so my address here could be included.

Hope Liz enjoys the geocaching!

Irmi, I'm always excited for anyone headed for a warmer winter spot!

[Acadianmom]

The weather isn't bad here now but we have some rain coming in from the West. Our temperature is going to drop 30 degrees when the front passes. I think I'll go try to find the gift I need for Thursday. Carol, you shop like I do, one for you and one for me. lol My sister gave me an idea for a couple of gifts I need for younger kids. Get a selection of small toys and games at the dollar store and make a bag for each. I don't know what these kids have or want. I made one pass up and down the toy aisle at Target and decided I was done with that. What a mad house.

Soos, working at Sea World sounds like fun. I like to go to these places and see all the Christmas decorations. We went to Sea World years ago but my son was getting sick we found out later so it wasn't an enjoyable visit. I hauled my boys all over when they were young to amusement parks and water parks. It's funny to see how it affected each. My older one is taking his kids like I did and the younger one doesn't want to hear about going to one. My dad wouldn't take us anywhere or give us the money to go. My first trip to Six Flags was the summer I graduated from High School. I think I made up for it with my boys. My sister wants to go to Disney World but if we don't hurry up we will have to rent wheel chairs. lol It would be a new experience to go without kids that are whining because they are hot or tired or hungry.

Louisiana hasn't gotten with the Home Land Security ID requirements yet. It's a good thing because my son had to change his driver's license from Washington state recently and all he needed was his proof of insurance. We lost his birth certificate in the flood.

I bought a radio/CD player to mount under a cabinet in my RV but never have gotten it installed. I'm not much on listening to music. Most of the time I enjoy the quiet. I did get a new radio in my RV when the old one quit working but the buttons are so small I can't see to change them. I have to be stopped to mess with it.

They can stop our Saturday delivery. It seems that all that comes on Saturday is junk. I heard on one of the news channels something about the government taking some of the post office money but don't remember what that was about. That sounds like something the government would do like robbing from the Social Security and complaining that Social Security is going broke.

Better get going before my DH thinks of something I can help him with.

Martha

[Redetotry]

It has rained for almost two whole days but I'm thankful it isn't ice or snow! Went to yoga this morning and we had a full class, I was surprised so many came out in the rain and cold.

I'm looking for a GPS's to put on my Christmas list to Santa how do you ever decide which one to get. I read the reviews on Amazon and they all seem to have lots of quirks. I want one that has free lifetime map updates, bluetooth, traffic alerts and that you talk to instead of having to manually put in where you want to go. So far the Garmin 2460LMt sounds good but they sure have bad company reviews. If you buy from Amazon though they are good to exchange if you get a bad one. Does anyone have one they like?

I'm with you Martha, I want to go to Disney World. They do have 3 wheel scooters you can rent which would make it easier to get around. I'm good walking on concrete for only about 30 minutes.

[Acadianmom]

BJ, we have 2 Garmins but I can't say that I'm completely happy with them. Be sure to add lane assist to your list. That really helps when you are going through a big city. Mine needs to be updated because sometimes it shows me off in a field instead of on the road. I have trouble getting them updated because it take too long. My computer times out before it gets done. I had to remove the program because it was messing with my computer. Probably because it only down loaded part way. The last time I looked at their web site I couldn't find a place to actually talk to someone about my problems. Will have to look again when I feel like being aggravated.

Martha

[JudyJB]

As part of my motorhome "dreaming," I checked the campground at DisneyWorld. They only charge $75 per night. When I suggested my son and his wife and three kids could meet me there and stay with me when I got my motorhome, he suggested he and his wife could get a hotel, and I could keep the kids!

Pretty good deal for him considering kids are 2, 3, and 5, but this grandma will take them!

Late posting, but I drove from Ohio this evening and it was horribly rainy and snowy once I got into Michigan.

[BarbaraRose]

Soos, were you able to get the free annual FunPass for 2012 with your ticket to SeaWorld yesterday?

[Nasoosie]

I could have gotten that free Fun pass, Barbie, but with the cost of the day pass and the parking I would have paid, and the cost of parking every time I were to go there with the Fun Pass, for a few dollars more I bought the Annual Senior pass that includes free parking any time I go. It's good for 365 days, and no parking fees! I checked all options over before I made my choice. The daily passes are wickedly expensive these days, eh?? Good grief, I feel so sorry for big families.

[Acadianmom]

Judy, it's been about 20 years since we went to Fort Wilderness but unless it has changed, Disney knows how to do campgrounds. I went with 2 boys about 9 and 11 years old. We had a hard time getting them out of the campground to go to the parks. Just a heads up on the ages of your grandchildren. I went with a 2 year old once and I wouldn't do it again. And the 5 year old won't be able to ride a lot of things and probably won't remember the trip.

Martha