Good Morning Megan and all who follow,
Nice to see you start coffee this morning. I was busy answering a Facebook post inviting me to a party on Friday night. I will go. I'm not much of a party person, but this is old staff I have worked with at the state park over the years and will be fun to see them again. I have to dig around here and find a White Elephant for a gift as we do an exchange type thing by number and it can get hilarious someitmes. I'm getting low on White Elephants around here as I've gotten rid of so much "stuff" in garage sales. Will dig around. Also need to take a dish of something, so am thinking of making Jello salad. Cheap and easy. I still have quite a few Spritz cookies left, so may take some of them along too. That much less for me to have to eat up
You asked about favorite Christmas traditions. I guess I don't have any anymore. Being by myself, I haven't really done much of the Christmas thing now that my paretns are gone. We used to always get together with neighbors and family over the years, but now everybody's passed on to that big Christmas party in the sky, so nothing doing on this end.
Sassy and I are heading into town in a bit here as she needs her yearly Parvo shot. So it's off to the vet we go. And then we will do some shopping while out. Well, I will. She has to stay in the truck. I haven't done much decorating in the house other than a few little things and my mother's ceramic Chalet and Christmas tree she made years ago. Have been kind of eyeing this one artifical tree at one of our local stores and it's now 50% off, so might break down and buy it. Will look it over again today.
Sure doesn't seem like Christmas here with bare ground and mild temps outside. Having a hard time even getting my Christmas cards out, cause I want to be outside. Did finallly get my letter made up and run off yesterday, so plan to spend the afternoon today, addressing and stamping the envelopes and off they go in tomorrow's mail. The list of folks I send to has shrunk dramatically over the years since my folks passed away. Some were friends of my folks who kept in touch, but have since passes away and others just drift on. I do enjoy sending them out and getting cards and notes from old friends whom I don't see but hear from at least once a year.
I took the "girls" out for a ride north yesterday to Burt Lake State Park near Indian River. It's about 38 miles from here. Burt Lake is the park that I have the opportunity to work at starting next year and am debating the issue. It would mean a 75 mile a day round trip commute but a beautiful drive on the expressway. It would be some new challlenges and a chance to meet some new faces as far as staff is concerned. I would seriously consider trading my truck for something a bit more gas efficient if I did that. Can't afford to keep and pay for two vehicles. Also would sell my TT as I won't have time for camping with all the driving back and forth. Would just put the RV stuff off on the shelf for a couple of years, till I retire. Can bank the money from the TT, save on extra RV insurance, camping fees etc. in the meantime. It's a beautiful park. I have posted pictures in General talk someplace earlier this fall. We enjoyed walking around the campground admiring the beautiful pines and spruces and along the river as well. And spent a little time talking to one of the Rangers and our old lead Ranger who is now the Supervisor up there. Found out that all the staff but one person is commuting from other areas to work there and most are retired folks. My job at Otsego is still there too if I want to return for another year.
So that's about all the news on this front. Guess it's time to get moving around here, so Sassy and I can leave in a little while. Rain moving in and possibly a bit of freezing drizzle ahead of it in some areas. It's just around 32 here, so will have to watch it. But temps are going to be warming up quite nicely before they cool off again late tomorrow. Not muc hin the way of snow in the forecast at the moment.
). 
but I am sure we will get through it.
After having to deal with a couple of dog and cat bites at home I was always worried about my kids petting strange animals when we were on trips. 
Have the day off today so will just take it easy and nap a lot. I have a ton of things to do but most will have to wait for another day. Hopefully, I can get to work tomorrow. I had a bad night, waking up a few times and had a temp of 100 at one point. I hate being sick! I rarely ever get sick but this is twice now in the past month! I guess I need to eat better and take my vitamins!
