I am perfectly happy to go back for a plateful, (or as much as I can get past my wife,) with good rich gravy, for my dessert. Sort of figure there may be pie left over the next day, but how can you beat real meashed potatoes and gravy?? Or why try??
Probably ate more than I should have, but what the heck, Thanksgiving only comes once a year. Friends invited us to join their group, which totalled 16 this year, and we wreacked havoc with a 28# turkey, and all of the extras that go with it. It was a nice day, rain was gone, company was enjoyable, and a good time was had by all.
Tomorrow is Black Friday, for those crazies who participate, and Christmas in just a month away. Do I smell another turkey being baked?? (The diet starts in 5 weeks!)
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Work is slow
Came back from Ohio to a small bathroom remodel, but otherwise, no one is doing any changes, it seems. Any repairs have to be a major disaster in the making, fire, flood, or collapse, or it can wait until the economy improves!
Not that it is so difficult to understand the concept. In Florida, with the unemployment rate at about 11+%, things are pretty tight. The latest figure I saw in the paper said 1 of 5 houses locally are in some form of default, foreclosure, or behind on payments!! Are we ever glad to be living in a debt-free house. And no major changes being done here, either. Both family and friends struggling to stay afloat on 30-32 hours a week. The lucky ones are getting 35-40 hours, but overtime??? By the time that comes back, noone will remember what it was.
As I said, the bathroom remodel was a small job, change vanity to a shorter one, add a linen tower, little plumbing modification, and the biggest job---cutting 8 inches off of each end of the faux-marble countertop, to recenter the builtin sink. It weighed a ton, or close, but did saw readily with a diamond blade. Rather dusty job, since we used my table saw, and no wet blade, and the garage looked like a baby-powder-bomb had exploded, but it worked.
Anybody need some work done???
Not that it is so difficult to understand the concept. In Florida, with the unemployment rate at about 11+%, things are pretty tight. The latest figure I saw in the paper said 1 of 5 houses locally are in some form of default, foreclosure, or behind on payments!! Are we ever glad to be living in a debt-free house. And no major changes being done here, either. Both family and friends struggling to stay afloat on 30-32 hours a week. The lucky ones are getting 35-40 hours, but overtime??? By the time that comes back, noone will remember what it was.
As I said, the bathroom remodel was a small job, change vanity to a shorter one, add a linen tower, little plumbing modification, and the biggest job---cutting 8 inches off of each end of the faux-marble countertop, to recenter the builtin sink. It weighed a ton, or close, but did saw readily with a diamond blade. Rather dusty job, since we used my table saw, and no wet blade, and the garage looked like a baby-powder-bomb had exploded, but it worked.
Anybody need some work done???
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Yes, still alive
And even back home again, after an extended trip tp Ohio. Left a few days after the garage door episode, (glad I got that changed before I left Carol at home with the old one!). Made a trip to visit family and friends, and help the family celebrate the 50th birthday of one of my sons.
First time the entire family had been together, in one place, all at the same time, in 4 1/2 years, so we were overdue. Travelers from Utah, Florida, and Michigan all converged on Wooster, OH, for a great weekend. Grandkids had grown considerably since our last visit, over two years ago. Must be getting fed regularly, as they are sure growing up fast. One in high school already.
Speaking of high school, had a pizza lunch one day with former classmates, of '52. Of the 24 still alive, 12 of us gathered at a local pizzeria, and had a great time visiting. Quite a few still live locally around Stryker, OH, and are finding reasons to get together whenever they can come up with a 'reason' for it. Are we getting older and feeling more vulnerable?
Had a chance to attend my old home church the first Sunday, and found a few of the other old-timers still in attendance, and got to attend a potluck, carry-in dinner afterwards. Many old memories in that place. Including memories of many previous potluck meals!
Visited with a former member of our church, who I had not seen for probably 57 years, as well. We had connected via the internet a year or so ago, and made definite plans to see each other, on the trip. He was still fairly local, having gone into business in a neighboring town, as well as being the mayor for quite a few years. Good excuse for another meal, and a piece of homemade pie!!
Surprises several friends and family by knocking on their doors unannounced. (Hard for them to hide that way!!) Could have used even more time there, as there were several other stops hoped for that didn't quite materialize. Next time!
After about 5 days, traveled across Ohio, from NW to NE, and spent a few more days with family. The hoped for surprise party for 'Pastor Mark' didn't quite make it as a surprise, but we had a great time, anyhow. (And a number of extra excuses to eat-eat-eat!!
A couple of 36 degree mornings soon had me thinking of south Florida, so 2 more days in my truck, and I was back home again. Left here 10/21, got back on 11/4, about 2700 miles on the road. My '97 Ranger now has 126,000++ showing, and delivers the same 20 mpg that is has since the first tankfull. Oh well, at least it is consistent. And comfortable to sit and ride in, as well. Took a chance by not unloading the tools from the bed before I left, but only got involved in a couple of fairly minor projects during the trip. Keeps me from getting too rusty or homesick. Back to a cool day here, (only a little over 80 today,) and is windy, but pleasant. Such a delight to have friends (and family,) who are willing to host a traveler. I really enjoyed time and activities with them. (Family has less choice, but I had a great time there, also.) Back to normal activities, (dentist, doctor, handyman work, church, etc), just in time for a possible storm (IDA) to maybe come for a visit. Hooray for Florida!!
First time the entire family had been together, in one place, all at the same time, in 4 1/2 years, so we were overdue. Travelers from Utah, Florida, and Michigan all converged on Wooster, OH, for a great weekend. Grandkids had grown considerably since our last visit, over two years ago. Must be getting fed regularly, as they are sure growing up fast. One in high school already.
Speaking of high school, had a pizza lunch one day with former classmates, of '52. Of the 24 still alive, 12 of us gathered at a local pizzeria, and had a great time visiting. Quite a few still live locally around Stryker, OH, and are finding reasons to get together whenever they can come up with a 'reason' for it. Are we getting older and feeling more vulnerable?
Had a chance to attend my old home church the first Sunday, and found a few of the other old-timers still in attendance, and got to attend a potluck, carry-in dinner afterwards. Many old memories in that place. Including memories of many previous potluck meals!
Visited with a former member of our church, who I had not seen for probably 57 years, as well. We had connected via the internet a year or so ago, and made definite plans to see each other, on the trip. He was still fairly local, having gone into business in a neighboring town, as well as being the mayor for quite a few years. Good excuse for another meal, and a piece of homemade pie!!
Surprises several friends and family by knocking on their doors unannounced. (Hard for them to hide that way!!) Could have used even more time there, as there were several other stops hoped for that didn't quite materialize. Next time!
After about 5 days, traveled across Ohio, from NW to NE, and spent a few more days with family. The hoped for surprise party for 'Pastor Mark' didn't quite make it as a surprise, but we had a great time, anyhow. (And a number of extra excuses to eat-eat-eat!!
A couple of 36 degree mornings soon had me thinking of south Florida, so 2 more days in my truck, and I was back home again. Left here 10/21, got back on 11/4, about 2700 miles on the road. My '97 Ranger now has 126,000++ showing, and delivers the same 20 mpg that is has since the first tankfull. Oh well, at least it is consistent. And comfortable to sit and ride in, as well. Took a chance by not unloading the tools from the bed before I left, but only got involved in a couple of fairly minor projects during the trip. Keeps me from getting too rusty or homesick. Back to a cool day here, (only a little over 80 today,) and is windy, but pleasant. Such a delight to have friends (and family,) who are willing to host a traveler. I really enjoyed time and activities with them. (Family has less choice, but I had a great time there, also.) Back to normal activities, (dentist, doctor, handyman work, church, etc), just in time for a possible storm (IDA) to maybe come for a visit. Hooray for Florida!!
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