A Winter's Saturday

[ToddDH]

Couldn't sleep so I thought I'd open the day at 3:40 am EST.

Winter has settled in but ours is not that bad thus far. We're ending a cold snap and although cloudy and rainy today, the temp is to climb to 58 F. Methinks it's going to be like a raw day out there though.

This is why folks such as Manuel move to Florida when they retire. Me, however, I love the seasons and here you get the benefits of all four but usually without all the snow. It does get awfully chilly (we were in the teens earlier this week) but not all that often and it doesn't last that long.

We have had a great influx of "snowbirds" move here who originally retired to Florida but while missing the seasons (especially fall colors) didn't want to return to northern climes. This is for a number of reasons, two primary ones being the climate (meaning not too severe winters), the very low cost of living, the beauty of the area and its accessibility to a myriad of recreational activities. We call them "half backs" as we're about halfway between the North and the far South and traditionally we have a much more temperate climate not to mention folks jaws drop when they find out that not only do we have no state income tax but the property taxes compared to many places up in the North are only a fraction of what they used to pay. Retirement income goes a long way here and heating bills are nothing like what they are up in New York, Michigan, etc. Also of utmost importance, the people are genuinely friendly and welcome folks from around the country.

Not much on the agenda today. Kinda' pushed myself yesterday and got our large kitchen and sunroom swept (well stick vacuumed) and mopped. Had to take a nap between the two but what the heck.

Hope everyone has a brilliant Saturday and I'm always thinking of Moiraine and her Dad, Mike and his son, Ray and the crick in his neck ... in short anyone having a rough time. You'uns are all in my nightly entreaties to The Big Guy Upstairs where I also ask for blessings on all of my cruisemates.

[bjm123]

Sorry you could not sleep Todd, I know how you feel. I have never been a back sleeper and it is not comfortable to me, guess I had better get used to it.
Grandson coming over to play for a little while today, I sure have missed him.

Brenda

[Henry43]

Originally Posted by ToddDH

Couldn't sleep so I thought I'd open the day at 3:40 am EST.

Winter has settled in but ours is not that bad thus far. We're ending a cold snap and although cloudy and rainy today, the temp is to climb to 58 F. Methinks it's going to be like a raw day out there though.

This is why folks such as Manuel move to Florida when they retire. Me, however, I love the seasons and here you get the benefits of all four but usually without all the snow. It does get awfully chilly (we were in the teens earlier this week) but not all that often and it doesn't last that long.

We have had a great influx of "snowbirds" move here who originally retired to Florida but while missing the seasons (especially fall colors) didn't want to return to northern climes. This is for a number of reasons, two primary ones being the climate (meaning not too severe winters), the very low cost of living, the beauty of the area and its accessibility to a myriad of recreational activities. We call them "half backs" as we're about halfway between the North and the far South and traditionally we have a much more temperate climate not to mention folks jaws drop when they find out that not only do we have no state income tax but the property taxes compared to many places up in the North are only a fraction of what they used to pay. Retirement income goes a long way here and heating bills are nothing like what they are up in New York, Michigan, etc. Also of utmost importance, the people are genuinely friendly and welcome folks from around the country.

Not much on the agenda today. Kinda' pushed myself yesterday and got our large kitchen and sunroom swept (well stick vacuumed) and mopped. Had to take a nap between the two but what the heck.

Hope everyone has a brilliant Saturday and I'm always thinking of Moiraine and her Dad, Mike and his son, Ray and the crick in his neck ... in short anyone having a rough time. You'uns are all in my nightly entreaties to The Big Guy Upstairs where I also ask for blessings on all of my cruisemates.

While I have several friends and relatives who are Fla snowbirds or have permanently moved there I also have friends and family who are living in Alabama ,Georgia and South Carolina .

Although I hate the snow and ice I personally have no desire to live anywhere but NY. The only other state I ever considered was Calif as I have 10 friends/relatives in the state and I travel there often .

[rollerdonna]

Morning Todd and everyone to follow. I know all about not being able to sleep, but last night was an exception and I was out like a light. Had a particularly stressful day at work, one that is making me seriously re-evaluate my choice of career. I am ready for a change. I am too old to be screamed at and hit by obnoxious 7 yr olds.

Anyway...it is Saturday and I get a break from the little monsters. The weather is mild at -3C or 26F, but we have flurries blowing around, making roads slippery. My only plan is to go to Wal Mart to pick up my cruise photos.
Speaking of which, I hope to start posting along with a review sometime this weekend.
Sometimes life just gets in the way of one's best intentions....

donna

[nlb1050]

Good morning all.

RD you should not have to not put up with any of that from anyone. Can this child be put out of the program?

Was up very early this morning along with daughter, SIL and 2 grandsons. We took the oldest grandson to the airportm he is on his way back to Hawaii for another 5 months working on the Pride of America. He was home for a 2 month vacation, it was nice having him home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. He will celebrate his 21st birthday on the ship.

Todd, with reading your posts everyday, I do think you should see about getting someone to help with the housework, even if that person only comes in once a week they can do the heavy cleaning for you.

I hope all have a great day.

[Mike M]

Good morning everyone:

It's another mild day here in the Land of 10,000 non-snow covered Lakes.

After last year's nasty Winter I was seriously thinking of moving to a warmer climate or becoming a snow-bird. We even put an offer down on a place north of Phoenix but it ended up a bidding war and I didn't want any part of it.

Well: It looks like Minnesota is trying to make me change my mind and make up for last year's nastiness. It's January 7th and we have no snow and it is going to be close to 40 again today. We REALLY need moisture and haven't had any significant rain or snow since early August but I'll just hope we have a nice wet Spring and that Winter stays just like this.

There is NOTHING on the agenda for today. Betty will probably find some make-work project for us to do but we'll see. I do have to post a couple of questions on the boards. It's been about six or seven years since I've been to St. John's and I need to know if getting there from St. Thomas is the same as it was then and what the ferry and taxi prices now are.

Todd: I'll clean your house for an extremely low rate but if you want me to wear the French Maid's outfit it will cost you a lot more.

I hope everyone has a great day and a wonderful weekend.

Take care,
Mike

[Moiraine]

Morning mates. I'm just sitting here having quiet time. It's the first time this week that I've had nothing to do. It's really very nice. Going to have Christmas with my side of the family today. They are coming here. We are going to have take out so that I don't have to cook. Don't see how it can get any better.

Donna, you should not have to put up with children hitting you and calling you names.

Brenda, any chance of sleeping on the other side? I feel for you trying to sleep on your back.

Todd. Thank you. Take the day to rest. Love ya.

Nancy, I'm glad you had your grandson home for two months.

Mike, Try not to get into trouble.

Henry, my friend, I have family in Southern California. I love to visit but would not want to live there. Your piece of New York sounds wonderful.

Have a great day all.

[travelgalSue]

Todd sorry that sleep avoided you last night. I managed to sleep until about 6 am before the furry guys wanted out for their morning business. It is another beautiful sunny day here. Temps in the mid 50's today and D/H is wishing he had scheduled a golf game again today. Who would have thought that in Jan. he would be on the golf course, not me!
Not a lot on tap here today with the exception of a square dance tonight. It is only about 45 minutes from here so it will be an easy drive tonight.
RD, so sorry the kids are giving you such a rough time. A carrer change may be in order.
Nancy, Hope your grandson has a good 5 months in Hawaii. When are you going to go over and sail with him?
Mike, you can come clean for me and I won't expect a French maid uniform!
Hope everyone has a good day.

[ToddDH]

Mike,

I'd pay the freight for you in a French maid's getup simply because I'd be able to buy an entire new house with just the picture of you in that attire.

[Kuki]

Good Morning cruisemates! A final day in the mid 70s in store, before a slight cooling trend hits Scottdsale, and we go down to 69.

My mother arrived Thurs. night, and yesterday she got to see her kids, grandkids, and great grand kids. Amazing since a few months ago, we thought she would never see them again.

Should be very therapeutic for her. She did find the time to insult me twice, and complain about the location of the condo I bought her (even though last year it was terrific ) And she really doesn't know the location of the condo

Off to play another golf course I've never played before today, so that should be fun, then out for dinner with friends.

[nlb1050]

Sue, we probably won't as he does not want to go back for a 3rd time.

[CruisinK n J]

Good morning! A winter's Saturday, indeed, as it is really foggy.

Todd, you would really benefit from a weekly house cleaning person, French maid's outfit, or not.

Brenda, I can't sleep on my back, either.

Henry, I wouldn't want to live anywhere except CA.

Moraine, a belated merry Christmas to you! Have a good time today. Just think, you can do it again when the Super Bowl comes on!

Donna, I don't know how you put up with that job all this time. I couldn't do it.

Keith has gone off to Riverside. I plan to finish off some house work for the week and then treat myself to a Chinese Chicken Salad at the local (sorta) mall. Haven't done that since before Thanksgiving.

Enjoy your day, people.

Judy

[johnthed0g]

It's waking up I have trouble with, it's wrong but just can't get going.
When I chat to folks in the tropics they just don't get "seasons" & one source of amusement is trees shedding leaves.

[ani_chd]

surely hard time ,best of luck guys

[Henry43]

Originally Posted by Moiraine

Morning mates. I'm just sitting here having quiet time. It's the first time this week that I've had nothing to do. It's really very nice. Going to have Christmas with my side of the family today. They are coming here. We are going to have take out so that I don't have to cook. Don't see how it can get any better.

Donna, you should not have to put up with children hitting you and calling you names.

Brenda, any chance of sleeping on the other side? I feel for you trying to sleep on your back.

Todd. Thank you. Take the day to rest. Love ya.

Nancy, I'm glad you had your grandson home for two months.

Mike, Try not to get into trouble.

Henry, my friend, I have family in Southern California. I love to visit but would not want to live there. Your piece of New York sounds wonderful.

Have a great day all.

My area is paradise from April to September .The town has 25,000 people .The tallest building is 3 stories .We have no movie theaters ,no bowling alleys ,no pool halls but we have hundreds of restaurants ,a lot of shopping and we are surrounded by water on 3 sides .

[Henry43]

Originally Posted by CruisinK n J

Good morning! A winter's Saturday, indeed, as it is really foggy.

Todd, you would really benefit from a weekly house cleaning person, French maid's outfit, or not.

Brenda, I can't sleep on my back, either.

Henry, I wouldn't want to live anywhere except CA.

Moraine, a belated merry Christmas to you! Have a good time today. Just think, you can do it again when the Super Bowl comes on!

Donna, I don't know how you put up with that job all this time. I couldn't do it.

Keith has gone off to Riverside. I plan to finish off some house work for the week and then treat myself to a Chinese Chicken Salad at the local (sorta) mall. Haven't done that since before Thanksgiving.

Enjoy your day, people.

Judy

I love southern california as do my friends and relatives who relocated there many years ago.
They are in Riverside ,Simi Valley ,San Diego and Camarillo .

[Moiraine]

I love San Diego...but my wallet could never afford to live there.

[Manuel]

Originally Posted by Moiraine

I love San Diego...but my wallet could never afford to live there.

That is another reason that I moved to Florida.

I'm very happy here in the town of Palm Coast.

TM